Research question: Do oral probiotics in patients with cirrhosis and ascites reduce
intestinal bacterial concentrations, ascitic bacterial DNA, SBP and bacteraemia compared to
antibiotics or placebo?
This study is designed to investigate the effects of an oral probiotic (VSL#3; a mixture of
"healthy" bacteria for the intestines) compared to an antibiotic or placebo in preventing
infection developing in the abdominal fluid ("ascites") that collects in patients with
advanced liver disease ("cirrhosis"). Patients already having had infection will be excluded
from the study. Clear inclusion and exclusion criteria will be met and patients will be
monitored throughout the study to examine whether they have required more hospitalisations,
their rate infection in abdominal fluid or elsewhere and the level of liver function.