Role of interleukin-8, C3 and C4 in spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in patients with Liver cirrhosis In Menoufiya Governorate

Abstract

SBP is a frequent and sever complication in cirrhotic patients with ascitis. The clinical manifestations of SBP are often subtle. It must be suspected not only whenever a cirrhotic patient has fever, abdominal pain or tenderness but also with sudden deterioration in hepatic or renal function (Lucey, 2000). Culture of ascitic fluid is important for the diagnosis of SBP and is essential to determine the sensitivity of the causative organisms to antimicrobial drugs (Hay et al, 1996). The importance of IL-8 in chronic liver diseases and SBP is not well studied, however it may have a significant role in pathogenesis and diagnosis of SBP . SBP occurs in patients with cirrhosis due to presence of defects in host defense mechanisms as complement deficiency (Chang, 2001). In this study, the role of IL-8 and complement components (C3 and C4) was investigated to clarifY their importance in pathogenesis and diagnosis of SBP.