Résumé
This study was conducted on 30 patients with endemic liver cirrhosis and ascitis with symptoms suggestive of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis [SBP]. Ascitic fluid culture was positive in 19 cases [Group [I]] while no growth could be detected In 11 cases [Group [II]]. Correlation studies between the various parameters of ascitic fluid showed that :1] The total leucocytic count and LDH levels were significantly higher in group [I] [culture. positive] than in group [II] [culture negative], while the protein level did not show any significant difference between both groups. 2] C[3] was significantly lower in group [I] compared to group [II]. Also, serum C[3] was found to be significantly lower in patients with liver cirrhosis compared to normal control sera. 3] The opsonic activity of ascitic fluid in group[I] was significantly lower than group [II]