Objective : To assess the diagnostic accuracy of a rapid urine-screening test (Multistix8SG) for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in cirrhotic patients.

Methods : Seventy-two consecutive patients (44 males, 28 females; mean age 61.6 years) with cirrhosis and ascites were included in the study. A diagnostic paracentesis was performed on hospital admission in all patients and 2 days after antibiotic treatment in the case of SBP (polymorphonuclear [PMN] count over 250/mm3 in ascitic fluid). Each fresh sample of ascitic fluid was also tested using the Multistix8SG urine test, and the results were scored as negative, trace or positive.

Results : Nine of the 72 patients had SBP and the Multistix8SG urine test was positive. After 48 h of antibiotic therapy, the PMN count of three of these nine patients was still above 250/mm3 and the Multistix8SG test remained positive. In three other patients with SBP, the PMN count dropped below 250/mm3 and the Multistix8SG test result had become negative. Two of the nine SBP patients died before 48 h, and paracentesis was not performed in the ninth case. In the other 63 patients, the PMN count in ascitic fluid was below 250/mm3; the Multistix8SG test revealed 17 trace results and 46 negative results. At the threshold of 250 PMN/mm3 in ascitic fluid, this test had a sensitivity and a specificity of 100%.

Conclusion : A positive Multistix8SG urine test result in ascitic fluid appears to be an indication for antibiotic treatment.