Factors predicting the incidence of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhotic patients with ascites

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to identify the factors which may predict the occurrence of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis [SBP] complication. Two groups of cirrhotic patients with ascites were included in the study A group who had never developed SBP and a group who had been successfully treated from this complication. The liver profile, the immunological status and the local ascitic factors were assessed in both groups. The group who had suffered from SBP showed significantly higher levels of serum bilirubin; while the serum albumin, prothrombin activity, T-lymphocytic count, serum and ascitic C3 and ascitic fluid protein and IgC were significantly lower than in the group who had never suffered SBP