G A A b st ra ct s SIBO vs 2 of the 48 healthy controls (4%) (p<0.0001). SIBO prevalence correlated with the severity of LC (68.2% of Child C patients vs. 56.2% of Child B and 31.2% of Child A patients), with the presence of ascites (66% in ascitic patients vs. 27% in non-ascitic patients), and with a history of SBP (92% of patients with SBP vs. 48% of those without SBP). A significant correlation was found between presence of SIBO and altered IP in patients with most severe degree of LC (Child A pts: R=0.07, NS; Child B pts: R=0.35, p=0.005; Child C pts: R=0.29, p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: SIBO seems to have an higher prevalence in LC, and correlates with LC severity and altered IP. This association suggests that SIBO may affect intestinal permeability of splancnic vessels and/or peritoneal membranes leading to SBP outbreak in LC. Future interventional studies are needed to confirm these preliminary data.