Ascitic fluid C3 and opsonic activity in endemic liver cirrhosis

ABSTRACT

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 that1] 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]