The cells were counted under 40× objective magnification. PMN percentage was determined under 100× magnification of microscope after Giemsa staining. In addition, appropriate biochemical tests (glucose, protein, albumin, lactic dehydrogenase, and sugar) and cytology were performed as indicated. One hundred and thirty-six specimens (56%) were sent for bacterial culture. Of these, all specimens from symptomatic patients

were sent for culture. Due to the format of the RXDX-106 in vivo study that focusing only on PMN cell count and its activity but not focusing on the number of bacterascites patients, we therefore elected not to culture the specimens from the asymptomatic cirrhotics. Ten milliliters of ascitic fluid were injected into blood culture bottle (Versa TREK TM REDOX 1TM, TREK diagnostic system, Cleveland, OH). The blood culture bottles were placed in a culture system (Versa TREK and ESPé II system). Negative culture was read after day seventh. Our diagnostic criteria for SBP was defined as PMN cell count in ascitic fluid of more than FK506 datasheet 250/mm3, with the absence of an intra-abdominal source of infection and after exclusion of other causes for an elevated PMN in ascitic fluid such as tuberculosis,

peritoneal carcinomatosis, secondary peritonitis or pancreatitis. The technique for reading has been described elsewhere.8–13 The colorimetric scale of 1+ or more from reagent strip was MCE公司 considered as positive test.8–13 The zero or trace scale from reagent strip was considered as a negative test. All patients with SBP defined by any technique were administered with an intravenous injection

of ceftriaxone 1 g/24 h or ciprofloxacin 400 mg/12 h for at least 5 days, regardless of the positivity of ascitic fluid culture. In those who did not respond to the initial agent, the regimen was changed accordingly depending on the culture sensitivity or judgment of clinicians. Continuous data were expressed as the mean±standard error of the mean or medians and ranges as appropriate. Categorical data were expressed as the number of subjects (and percentage) with a specified condition or clinical variable. Student t-test was used to compare the PMN value from each test with cell count by manual method which was referred as a gold standard. All tests were two-sided, and the chosen level of significance was P < 0.05. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy of all tests were calculated. McNemar’s test; non-parametric test was used for matched-pairs of categorical data. The calculations were performed with SPSS statistical software (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL). The study protocol was approved by the Ethical Committee of the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University. A total of 250 paracenteses from 143 patients were performed. Baseline characteristics of patients are shown in Table 1. Mean age was 59.3 ± 12.