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Colon Ascendens Stent Peritonitis (CASP) - a Standardized Model for Polymicrobial Abdominal Sepsis
06:45

Colon Ascendens Stent Peritonitis (CASP) - a Standardized Model for Polymicrobial Abdominal Sepsis

Published on: December 18, 2010

Study on ascitic fluid complement 3 level in cirrhotic patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and without

Golam Mustafa1, Mobin Khan, Khorshed Alam

  • 1Department of Hepatology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Shahbag, Dhaka, Bangladesh. m_golam@yahoo.com

Hepato-Gastroenterology
|February 7, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Low ascitic fluid Complement 3 (C3) levels indicate a higher risk of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in cirrhotic patients. This study found significantly reduced C3 concentrations in patients with SBP.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Hepatology
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • Ascitic fluid Complement 3 (C3) is crucial for local defense against infection.
  • Advanced cirrhosis significantly reduces hepatic synthesis and ascitic fluid C3 levels.
  • Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a serious complication in cirrhotic patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess ascitic fluid C3 levels in cirrhotic patients with and without SBP.
  • To identify cirrhotic ascites at risk of developing SBP.
  • To evaluate the diagnostic role of ascitic fluid C3 in SBP.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective case-control study design.
  • Comparison of ascitic fluid C3 levels between SBP and non-SBP groups.
  • Measurement of C3 concentration in 15 SBP patients (cases) and 15 non-SBP patients (controls).

Main Results:

  • Ascitic fluid C3 concentration was significantly lower in patients with SBP (7.3+/-4.3 mg/dL) compared to those without SBP (16.4+/-11.3 mg/dL).
  • A statistically significant difference (P=0.009) was observed in C3 levels between the two groups.

Conclusions:

  • Ascitic fluid C3 levels are significantly reduced in cirrhotic patients who develop SBP.
  • Low ascitic fluid C3 may serve as a biomarker for predicting SBP risk in cirrhosis.
  • Monitoring C3 levels could aid in managing infection risk in cirrhotic ascites.
Abstract

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