Rapid diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis by use of leukocyte esterase reagent strips

ABSTRACT

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis [SBP] is a serious complication in cirrhotic ascitic patients. That is why, its early diagnosis and treatment is important for prevention of further complications as hepatorenal syndrome or encephalopathy. Leukocyte Esterase reagent strips have been used successfully for many years for diagnosing urinary tract infections, being accurate, safe, rapid, available and cheap. The aim of our study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of these leukocyte esterase reagent strips for diagnosing spontaneous peritonitis. One hundred ascitic cirrhotic patients were tested by leukocyte esterase strips and also by bedside culture of ascitic fluid using blood culture bottles. The study showed high sensitivity [98.4 %] and specificity [87.2 %] of the leukocyte esterase [LE] strips in diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis