Background and study aim: The most
common infections in decompensated
liver cirrhotic ascites patients are cases of
spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP),
which account for 40%–70% of cases.
SBP is a bacterial infection that occurs in
absence of an evident intra-abdominal or
surgically treatable source of infection.
Patients and methods: This study was
conducted on 80 patients with liver cirrhosis
and ascites; 40 patients of them without
SBP (group A) and 40 patients of them
with SBP (group B) who were admitted to
the Hepatology, Gastroenterology and
Infectious Diseases Department, Benha
University Hospital in the period between
April 2014 and October 2014. Full history
taking, clinical examination and laboratory
investigation were done. Ascitic fluid
analysis was done including detection of
granulocyte elastase level.
Results: Granulocyte elastase was markedly
elevated in group B; mean ascitic fluid
GE ELISA (4.1±2.8) comparing with
group A (0.8±0.7) and it revealed a high
statistically significant association between
SBP and GE (P value