Recent studies have shown that the administration of cefotaxime (first choice treatment for SBP) associated with plasma volume expansion with albumin in patients with SBP, was more efficient to prevent renal failure than cefotaxime treatment alone (10% vs. 33%, respectively). The in-hospital and three-month mortality rates, furthermore, were significantly lower in the group treated with albumin (10% vs. 29% and 22% vs. 41%, respectively). There was a significant increase in the plasma renin activity in the group treated with cefotaxime alone as compared to the group receiving cefotaxime associated with the expansion with albumin. A direct relationship between plasma renin activity levels and the development of renal failure was also observed.