[Diagnostic value of laboratory examination of ascites fluid (author's transl)]

Measurement of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glucose and protein was performed in ascites fluid of 44 patients in addition to bacteriological and cytological examinations. In patients with cirrhosis of the liver protein content of ascites was low, LDH normal, and the ascites/serum ratio of glucose concentration was higher than 1. These values were statistically significant different from the values in patients with tumorous or inflammatory disease of the peritoneum - protein and LDH in the ascites fluid being high and the ascites/serum ratio of glucose concentration being below 1. Cirrhosis however and tumors of the liver could not be differentiated by this method. Ascites from patients with cardiac failure had high protein content. In patients with liver cirrhosis high concentrations of protein in ascitic fluid may mean possibly a better survival time.