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Updated: Apr 11, 2026
Imaging of In Situ Interferon Gamma Production in the Mouse Spleen following Listeria monocytogenes Infection
Published on: July 16, 2019
Diagnostic utility of interferon gamma-induced protein 10 kDa in spontaneous bacterial peritonitis: single-center
Ahmed Abdel-Razik1, Nasser Mousa, Sherif Elbaz
1Departments of aTropical Medicine bInternal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine cClinical Pathology dMedical Microbiology and Immunology, Mansoura University, Mansoura eDepartment of Endemic Diseases and Gastroenterology, Aswan University, Aswan, Egypt.
Background And Aims:
Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in cirrhotic patients with ascites. The diagnosis of SBP is mainly made on the basis of a polymorphonuclear leukocyte cell count exceeding 250/μl in ascitic fluid. However, this procedure is subjective. We aimed to evaluate serum and ascitic fluid interferon-γ-induced protein (IP-10) as accurate diagnostic markers for detecting SBP.
Methods:
A total of 425 consecutive patients with ascites were included. Serum and ascitic fluid of IP-10, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Results:
Patients were divided into an SBP group, including 61 patients, and a non-SBP group, including 364 patients. Serum and ascitic IP-10 were significantly higher in SBP patients than in patients without SBP (1855±825 vs. 955±510 pg/ml; P<0.001 and 2160±994 vs. 1110±623 pg/ml; P<0.001), respectively. There was a significant increase in both serum and ascitic levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in SBP patients than in patients without SBP. At a cut-off value of 1915 pg/ml, serum IP-10 had 91% sensitivity and 89% specificity for detecting SBP (area under the curve: 0.912). Also, at a cut-off value of 2355 pg/ml, ascitic IP-10 had 92.5% sensitivity and 87% specificity for detecting SBP (area under the curve: 0.943). Both were correlated with ascitic fluid proteins, polymorphonuclear count, TNF-α, and IL-6.
Conclusion:
Serum and ascitic IP-10, TNF-α, and IL-6 are significantly increased in SBP patients versus patients without SBP. Serum level of IP-10 is more specific and sensitive, such as ascites. Thus, it seems to represent a satisfactory diagnostic marker for the diagnosis of SBP.
Insights
Interferon-γ-induced protein (IP-10) in serum and ascites shows promise as a diagnostic marker for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). Elevated IP-10 levels accurately identify SBP in cirrhotic patients, offering a more reliable alternative to traditional methods.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a serious complication in cirrhotic patients with ascites.
- Current diagnostic methods for SBP, relying on ascitic fluid polymorphonuclear leukocyte counts, can be subjective.
- There is a need for more accurate and objective diagnostic markers for SBP.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate serum and ascitic fluid levels of interferon-γ-induced protein (IP-10) as diagnostic markers for SBP.
- To compare the diagnostic accuracy of IP-10 with other inflammatory markers like TNF-α and IL-6.
- To assess the clinical utility of IP-10 in diagnosing SBP in patients with ascites.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 425 cirrhotic patients with ascites was studied.
- Serum and ascitic fluid samples were analyzed for IP-10, TNF-α, and IL-6 using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
- Patients were categorized into SBP and non-SBP groups for comparative analysis.
Main Results:
- Serum and ascitic fluid IP-10 levels were significantly elevated in patients with SBP compared to those without (P<0.001).
- Serum IP-10 demonstrated high sensitivity (91%) and specificity (89%) at a cut-off of 1915 pg/ml (AUC: 0.912).
- Ascitic fluid IP-10 showed high sensitivity (92.5%) and specificity (87%) at a cut-off of 2355 pg/ml (AUC: 0.943).
Conclusions:
- Serum and ascitic fluid levels of IP-10, TNF-α, and IL-6 are significantly increased in SBP.
- Serum IP-10 is a sensitive and specific biomarker for the diagnosis of SBP in cirrhotic patients with ascites.
- IP-10 represents a promising and accurate diagnostic marker for SBP, potentially improving patient management.
