Bedside diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis using reagent strips.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the efficacy of reagent strip for bedside diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP).

DESIGN:

Cross-sectional analytical study.

PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY:

Shaikh Zayed Postgraduate Medical Institute from November 2003 to August 2004.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Patients with cirrhosis and ascites underwent diagnostic paracentesis. Fluid was checked for leukocyte esterase released by PMN by using Combur 10 urine strip and graded for color change from 0-3. Fluid was also analyzed by cytology for PMN count. Results of both methods were compared to determine sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of strip for diagnosis of SBP.

RESULTS:

Of 214 paracentesis performed, SBP was diagnosed in 38 patients whereas 176 were negative for infection. Strip test was 97.7% sensitive and 89.4% specific with positive predictive value of 90%, negative predictive value of 97.7% and accuracy of 96.2%, when reagent strip grade 3 was considered as positive for diagnosis.

CONCLUSION:

Reagent strip is a quick bedside test, highly sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of SBP, based on polymorphonuclear count in ascitic fluid, to initiate early treatment, thus improving patient's outcome.

• Authors: Shahid Sarwar, Altaf Alam, Mateen Izhar, Anwaar A Khan, Arshad Kamal Butt, Farzana Shafqat, Kashif Malik, Irfan Ahmed, Aamir Khan Niazi
• Journal: Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons--Pakistan : JCPSP (J Coll Physicians Surg Pak) Vol. 15 Issue 7 Pg. 418-21 (Jul 2005) ISSN: 1022-386X [Print] Pakistan
• PMID: 16197871 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Reagent Kits, Diagnostic

Topics

• Adult
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Peritonitis (diagnosis, microbiology)
• Point-of-Care Systems
• Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
• Sensitivity and Specificity