Background
Polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNL) count in the ascitic fluid (AF) is the gold standard method for the diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). Its measurement is routinely performed by traditional manual counting which is operator dependent and false-negative results may occur due to lysis of the leukocyte during transport.
Aims
The aims of the study were to assess the accuracy of AF lactoferrin and the best cutoff value for the diagnosis of SBP and also to compare its level before and after treatment to be used as a marker for follow up.
Patients and methods
The present study included 150 Egyptian patients with hepatitis C virus-related liver cirrhosis and ascites. The cases were divided into 100 patients with SBP and 50 patients with no SBP based on an elevated AF PMNL count of greater than or equal to 250 cells/mm, ascitic samples were examined for PMNL count, culture, chemistry, and lactoferrin concentration in non-SBP patients and in SBP patients before and after systemic antibiotic treatment.
Results
AF lactoferrin concentration is significantly higher in SBP patients than in non-SBP patients with a cutoff value of 75.55 ng/ml, significantly higher in culture positive than in culture-negative SBP patients and its concentration is decreased significantly in SBP patients after systemic antibiotic therapy.
Conclusion
Elevated AF lactoferrin levels in cirrhotic patients are reliable for the diagnosis and follow up of SBP after systemic antibiotic therapy. The level of AF lactoferrin level is higher in resistant cases of SBP than the cases that respond to systemic antibiotic treatment.