Ascitic procalcitonin as a diagnostic and prognostic marker of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis

Abstract

BP is a condition that requires a high index of suspicion, rapid and accurate diagnosis in addition to prompt and effective therapy. It is also characterized by a high recurrence rate within one year of the 1st episode. The goal of the present study was to assess the role of ascitic fluid procalcitonin in diagnosis and prognosis of SBP. For this purpose, 50 patients with decompensated liver disease were selected. These patients were divided into 3 groups: Group A: 20 patients with SBP as diagnosed by 250 neutrophils or greater per cmm of the ascitic fluid as present in the guidelines. Group B: 20 patients with criteria suggestive of SBP (abdominal pain, fever, liver function deterioration, leukocytosis in the CBC with no other localization for the infection),but shows neutrophil count in the ascitic fluid less than 250 i.e not diagnostic by itself. Only Patients with positive culture will be included in this group. Group C: 10 patients with ascites, but no evidence of SBP (symptomatic or laboratory) as the control. Each patient was subjected to: