Elevated C-reactive protein and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in children with chronic liver disease and ascites

Ascites and Chronic Liver Disease in Children

Development of ascites in children with chronic liver disease is the most common form of decompensation. It is associated with a poor prognosis and increased risk of mortality. A diagnostic paracentesis should be performed in liver disease patients with- new-onset ascites, at the beginning of each hospital admission and when ascitic fluid infection (AFI) is suspected. The routine analysis includes cell count with differential, bacterial culture, ascitic fluid total protein and albumin. A serum albumin-ascitic fluid albumin gradient of ≥1.1 g/dL confirms the diagnosis of portal hypertension. Ascites has been reported in children with non-cirrhotic liver disease like acute viral hepatitis, acute liver failure and extrahepatic portal venous obstruction. The main steps in management of cirrhotic ascites include dietary sodium restriction, diuretics and large-volume paracentesis. Sodium should be restricted to maximum of 2 mEq/kg/d (max 90 mEq/d) of sodium/day. Oral diuretic therapy comprises of aldosterone antagonists (e.g., spironolactone) with or without loop-diuretics (e.g., furosemide). Once the ascites is mobilized, the diuretics should be gradually tapered to the minimum effective dosage. Tense ascites should be managed with a large-volume paracentesis (LVP) preferably with albumin infusion. Therapeutic options for refractory ascites include recurrent LVP, transjugular intrahepatic porto-systemic shunt and liver transplantation. AFI (fluid neutrophil count ≥250/mm3) is an important complication, and requires prompt antibiotic therapy. Hyponatremia, acute kidney injury, hepatic hydrothorax and hernias are the other complications.

Utility of human epididymis protein 4 in the differential diagnosis of ascites

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Human epididymal protein 4 (HE4) may be a useful tool in the differential diagnosis of malignant ascites. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic utility of HE4 for detecting malignant ascites, taking into account the possible false positives identified with adenosine deaminase (ADA), C-reactive protein (CRP), % polynuclear cells (%PMN) and glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).

METHODS

Concentrations of HE4, ADA, %PMN and CRP were determined in 114 samples of peritoneal fluid and creatinine in serum in order to calculate eGFR.

RESULTS

Concentrations of HE4 presented significant differences (P = 0.028) in benign [median (interquartile range)] [582(372)] pmol/L) and malignant ascites ([8241(367)] pmol/L. Sensitivity was 21.2% and specificity 100%. Significant differences were also observed for HE4 between tumors of gynecological origin ([3165(8769)] pmol/L) and others ([665(663)] pmol/L), with a sensitivity of 67% and a specificity of 100%. Classifying according to possible false positives (ADA > 45U/L, CRP > 50 mg/L, %PMN > 90 and eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2) at maximum specificity, a sensitivity of 33.3% was obtained for HE4, with a cut-off point of 2660 pmol/L. Without possible false positives (ADA < 45U/L, CRP < 50 mg/L, %PMN < 90 and eGFR ≥ 30 mL/min/1.73 m2), a sensitivity of 37.7% was obtained at 100% specificity for a cut-off point of 1041 pmol/L. Applying these criteria to the entire group, a sensitivity of 36.4% was obtained at maximum specificity.

CONCLUSIONS

HE4 allows the identification of malignant ascites with moderate sensitivity at maximum specificity. HE4 levels can differentiate between tumors of gynecological origin and others. Classification according to possible false positives increases sensitivity without losing specificity.

Proton pump inhibitors may enhance the risk of digestive diseases by regulating intestinal microbiota

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the most used acid-inhibitory drugs, with a wide range of applications in the treatment of various digestive diseases. However, recently, there has been a growing number of digestive complications linked to PPIs, and several studies have indicated that the intestinal flora play an important role in these complications. Therefore, developing a greater understanding of the role of the gut microbiota in PPI-related digestive diseases is essential. Here, we summarize the current research on the correlation between PPI-related digestive disorders and intestinal flora and establish the altered strains and possible pathogenic mechanisms of the different diseases. We aimed to provide a theoretical basis and reference for the future treatment and prevention of PPI-related digestive complications based on the regulation of the intestinal microbiota.

Beyond Varices: Complications of Cirrhotic Portal Hypertension in Pediatrics

Complications of cirrhotic portal hypertension (PHTN) in children are broad and include clinical manifestations ranging from variceal hemorrhage, hepatic encephalopathy (HE), ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP), and hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) to less common conditions such as hepatopulmonary syndrome, portopulmonary hypertension, and cirrhotic cardiomyopathy. The approaches to the diagnosis and management of these complications have become standard of practice in adults with cirrhosis with many guidance statements available. However, there is limited literature on the diagnosis and management of these complications of PHTN in children with much of the current guidance available focused on variceal hemorrhage. The aim of this review is to summarize the current literature in adults who experience these complications of cirrhotic PHTN beyond variceal hemorrhage and present the available literature in children, with a focus on diagnosis, management, and liver transplant decision making in children with cirrhosis who develop ascites, SBP, HRS, HE, and cardiopulmonary complications.

Establishment and Validation of a Non-Invasive Diagnostic Nomogram to Identify Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis in Patients With Decompensated Cirrhosis

BACKGROUND

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a common and life-threatening infection in patients with decompensated cirrhosis (DC), and it is accompanied with high mortality and morbidity. However, early diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is not possible because of the lack of typical symptoms or the low patient compliance and positivity rate of the ascites puncture test. We aimed to establish and validate a non-invasive diagnostic nomogram to identify SBP in patients with DC.

METHOD

Data were collected from 4,607 patients with DC from July 2015 to December 2019 in two tertiary hospitals in Chongqing, China (A and B). Patients with DC were divided into the SBP group (995 cases) and the non-SBP group (3,612 cases) depending on whether the patients had SBP during hospitalization. About 70% (2,685 cases) of patients in hospital A were randomly selected as the traindata, and the remaining 30% (1,152 cases) were used as the internal validation set. Patients in hospital B (770 cases) were used as the external validation set. The univariate analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression were used to screen variables, and logistic regression was used to determine independent predictors to construct a nomogram to identify patients with SBP. Area under curve (AUC), calibration curve, and dynamic component analysis (DCA) were carried out to determine the effectiveness of the nomogram.

RESULT

The nomogram was composed of seven variables, namely, mean red blood cell hemoglobin concentration (odds ratio [OR] = 1.010, 95% CI: 1.004-1.016), prothrombin time (OR = 1.038, 95% CI: 1.015-1.063), lymphocyte percentage (OR = 0.955, 95% CI: 0.943-0.967), prealbumin (OR = 0.990, 95% CI: 0.987-0.993), total bilirubin (OR = 1.003 95% CI: 1.002-1.004), abnormal C-reactive protein (CRP) level (OR = 1.395, 95% CI: 1.107-1.755), and abnormal procalcitonin levels (OR = 1.975 95% CI: 1.522-2.556). Good discrimination of the model was observed in the internal and external validation sets (AUC = 0.800 and 0.745, respectively). The calibration curve result indicated that the nomogram was well-calibrated. The DCA curve of the nomogram presented good clinical application ability.

CONCLUSION

This study identified the independent risk factors of SBP in patients with DC and used them to construct a nomogram, which may provide clinical reference information for the diagnosis of SBP in patients with DC.

Preoperative serum C-reactive protein concentration can be used to detect gallbladder rupture in dogs with gallbladder mucocele

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration could be used to detect gallbladder rupture (GBR) prior to surgery in dogs undergoing cholecystectomy for treatment of gallbladder mucocele (GBM).

ANIMALS

45 dogs that underwent cholecystectomy because of GBM at a companion animal referral hospital from 2017 to 2020.

PROCEDURES

Electronic medical records were reviewed, and dogs were included if serum CRP concentration had been measured within 24 hours prior to cholecystectomy. Dogs were grouped as to whether the gallbladder was found to be ruptured or intact during surgery. Accuracy of using preoperative CRP concentration to predict GBR was compared with accuracy of abdominal ultrasonography and other preoperative blood tests.

RESULTS

GBR was present in 15 dogs at the time of surgery. Median preoperative CRP concentration was significantly higher in dogs with GBR (15.1 mg/dL; interquartile range, 7.4 to 16.8 mg/dL) than in dogs with an intact gallbladder (2.65 mg/dL; interquartile range, 0.97 to 13.4 mg/dL). Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of using preoperative CRP concentration to predict GBR were 100%, 67%, and 78%, respectively.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Measurement of preoperative CRP concentration provided excellent sensitivity and moderate specificity for detection of GBR in dogs undergoing cholecystectomy because of GBM. Accuracy of using preoperative CRP concentration for detection of GBR was not superior to the accuracy of preoperative abdominal ultrasonography. However, when CRP concentration was combined with results of ultrasonography, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for detection of GBR were 100%, 93%, and 96%, respectively.

Amyloid A in Serum and Ascitic Fluid as a Novel Diagnostic Marker of Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis

Background: Diagnosis of Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis (SBP) depends mainly on ascetic fluid culture which may be negative in spite of the clinical suggestion of SBP and high ascetic fluid neutrophilic count.

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the biological importance of amyloid A biomarker in both serum and ascetic fluid to diagnose SBP as early as possible and to compare it to other markers (C-reactive protein (CRP), and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR)).

Methods: This study included 37 patients with hepatic ascites; twenty-two of them had SBP, and 15 patients did not have SBP. Serum and ascetic fluid amyloid A, ascetic fluid neutrophil, C-reactive protein, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio were measured in all subjects before the start of antimicrobial chemotherapy to the infected ones.

Results: Both the serum and ascetic fluid amyloid and also, CRP were significantly higher in patients infected with ascetic fluid than others. The cut-off point of serum amyloid A for early detection of SBP was 9.25ug/ml with the high sensitivity and specificity. For ascetic amyloid A, the sensitivity and specificity were 90.09% and 60% at cut-off point 2.85ug/ml, respectively.

Conclusion: Amyloid A in serum and ascitic fluid can be considered as a good biomarker for early diagnosis of SBP.

The impact of proton pump inhibitors on the intestinal microbiota in chronic hepatitis C patients

Objectives: Proton pump inhibitors (PPI), a class of drugs commonly used, are known to be associated with changes in the intestinal microbiota. Published studies were done in heterogeneous cohorts which could hamper conclusions drawn as effects of diseases were not taken into consideration. We aimed to elucidate differences in the intestinal microbiota being associated to the use of PPI in a cohort study of patients with chronic hepatitis C. Material and Methods: The 16S rDNA gene was analyzed in stool samples of patients with and without PPI use. Patients with concomitant medication influencing the microbiota were excluded. Results were compared with the clinical course of hepatitis C patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis. Results: No differences in alpha diversity could be observed, while the microbial community structure differed significantly, especially in patients with liver cirrhosis. The relative abundance of Streptococcus spp., Enterobacter spp. and Haemophilus spp. was significantly increased in patients with PPI use irrespectively of the stage of liver disease. Finally, in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis due to chronic HCV infection only in these using PPI bacterial phylotypes were isolated. Conclusions: PPI use was associated with significant alterations in the microbial community in patients with chronic hepatitis C, which were even pronounced in patients with liver cirrhosis. In patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis due to chronic HCV infection, the use of PPI may promote infections either directly or indirectly through changes in the microbial community structure. Future studies should further investigate long-term impact on the microbiota and the clinical outcome.

Ascitic fluid infection in children with liver disease: time to change empirical antibiotic policy

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Recent years have shown a rise in occurrence of multidrug resistant ascitic fluid infection (AFI) including resistant to third generation cephalosporins. Our aim was to find the prevalence, antibiotics resistance and outcome of AFI in children with liver disease.

METHODS

Children (≤ 18 years) with liver disease-related ascites were prospectively enrolled from April 2015 to October 2017. Based on the results of ascitic fluid examination and culture, patients were classified as having AFI [spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP), culture negative neutrocytic ascites (CNNA) and monomicrobial non-neutrocytic bacterascites (MNB)] and no-AFI. AFI diagnosed after 48 h of index hospitalization was considered as nosocomial.

RESULTS

We enrolled 194 children with a median age of 85 [2-216] months. Chronic liver disease was the commonest etiology (153, 79%). AFI was present in 60 (31%) children [SBP (n = 13), CNNA (n = 39), MNB (n = 8)] of which 53% were nosocomial and resulted in high in-hospital mortality. Gram-negative bacilli dominated the ascitic fluid culture (12/21, 57%) and 10/12 (83%) of them were extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) producers. Six (60%) ESBL producers were sensitive to cefoperazone-sulbactam and 70% to carbapenems. Child-Pugh-Turcotte (CPT) score of ≥ 11 independently determined in-hospital mortality in children with AFI.

CONCLUSIONS

AFI was found in 31% children with liver disease and almost half of them were nosocomial resulting in high mortality. ESBL producing Gram-negative bacteria were the most frequently isolated organisms. Cefoperazone-sulbactam or carbapenems may be useful empirical antibiotics in nosocomial setting. Children with AFI and CPT score ≥ 11 should be evaluated for liver transplantation.

Predictors of Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis in Patients with Cirrhotic Ascites

Background and Aims: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a serious complication of liver cirrhosis and a prognostic model to predict it is needed. This study was designed to test the ability of different laboratory tests and the new scoring system by Wehmeyer and colleagues (consisting of age, C-reactive protein (CRP) and platelet count) to predict it. Methods: Three-hundred patients admitted to the National Liver Institute, University of Menoufia, Egypt (2015-2016) with liver cirrhosis and ascites were included in our study. SBP was diagnosed if ascetic neutrophil count was ≥250/µL with no sign of secondary peritonitis. Results: The patient population had age range of 29-81 years old, was 60% men and showed a majority (91.7%) with primary cause of liver disease being hepatitis C. By univariate analysis, associations with age, total bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase level, creatinine level, international normalized ratio, model for end-stage liver disease score, total leucocytic count, platelet count and CRP level were significant. By multivariate analysis, independent predictors were age, platelet count and CRP level (p = 0.004, 0.013 and <0.001, respectively). CRP at a cut-off point ≥13.5 mg/L could predict SBP (sensitivity of 86.4% and specificity of 66.0%). Wehmeyer's SBP scoring system was predictive (p < 0.001); only 4% of patients with 0 score developed SBP (CRP cut-off of 30 mg/L), while 92.8% with score of 3 or 4 developed SBP. By using our modified Wehmeyer score with CRP cut-off value of 13.5 mg/L, no patient with 0 score developed SBP. Conclusions: Age, CRP level and platelet count are independent predictors for SBP and a scoring system including them could easily predict the condition. SBP diagnosis could be excluded in patients with 0 score, using CRP cut-off value of 13.5 mg/L.

Routine analysis of ascitic fluid for evidence of infection in children with chronic liver disease: Is it mandatory?

Ascitic fluid infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in cirrhotic patients, requiring early diagnosis and therapy. We aimed to determine predictors of ascitic fluid infection in children with chronic liver disease. The study included 45 children with chronic liver disease and ascites who underwent 66 paracentesis procedures. Full history taking and clinical examination of all patients were obtained including fever, abdominal pain and tenderness and respiratory distress. Investigations included: complete blood count, C-reactive protein, full liver function tests, ascitic fluid biochemical analysis, cell count and culture. Our results showed that patients' ages ranged between 3 months to 12 years. Prevalence of ascitic fluid infection was 33.3%. Gram-positive bacteria were identified in six cases, and Gram-negative bacteria in five. Fever and abdominal pain were significantly more associated with infected ascites (p value = 0.004, 0.006). Patients with ascitic fluid infection had statistically significant elevated absolute neutrophilic count and C-reactive protein. Logistic regression analysis showed that fever, abdominal pain, elevated absolute neutrophilic count and positive C-reactive protein are independent predictors of ascitic fluid infection. Fever, elevated absolute neutrophilic count and positive C-reactive protein raise the probability of ascitic fluid infection by 3.88, 9.15 and 4.48 times respectively. The cut-off value for C-reactive protein for ascitic fluid infection was 7.2 with sensitivity 73% and specificity of 71%. In conclusion, prevalence of ascitic fluid infection in pediatric patients with chronic liver disease and ascites was 33.3%. Fever, abdominal pain, positive C-reactive protein and elevated absolute neutrophilic count are strong predictors of ascitic fluid infection. Therefore an empirical course of first-line antibiotics should be immediately started with presence of any of these predictors after performing ascitic fluid tapping for culture and sensitivity. In absence of these infection parameters, routine ascitic fluid analysis could be spared.

The first episode of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is a threat event in children with end-stage liver disease

OBJECTIVE

Studies on native liver survival (NLS) after the first episode of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) are rare. Our objective was to evaluate NLS in children up to 1 year after SBP.

METHODS

A historical cohort study of 18 children followed after the first episode of SBP was conducted. NLS, in-hospital mortality, causes of death, and rate of multidrug-resistant organisms were reported.

RESULTS

Biliary atresia was the most prevalent diagnosis (72.2%); all were Child-Pugh C, and the median age was 1.0 year. The probability of NLS was 77.8, 27.8, and 11.1% at 1, 3 and 6 months, respectively. At 9 months, no child had the native liver. In-hospital mortality was 38.9%, and the main causes of death were septic shock and acute-on-chronic liver failure. Escherichia coli was the predominant organism cultured. Multidrug-resistant organisms were not detected. The cumulative probability of NLS was 77.8% at 1 month, 27.8% at 3 months, and 11.1% at 6 months. At 9-month follow-up, none of children had their native liver. Ascites PMN count cell more than 1000 cells/mm, positive ascites culture, and prolonged international normalized ratio reached a significant value as predictive factors of NLS and were selected for multivariate analysis. We did not identify independent predictors of survival.

CONCLUSION

Development of SBP was a late event in children and had a high effect on NLS.

Spontaneous bacterial and fungal peritonitis in patients with liver cirrhosis: A literature review

Spontaneous bacterial (SBP) and spontaneous fungal peritonitis (SFP) can be a life-threatening infection in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) and ascites. One of the possible mechanisms of developing SBP is bacterial translocation. Although the number of polymorphonuclear cells in the culture of ascitic fluid is diagnostic for SBP, secondary bacterial peritonitis is necessary to exclude. The severity of underlying liver dysfunction is predictive of developing SBP; moreover, renal impairment and infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) organism are associated with a fatal prognosis of SBP. SBP is treated by antimicrobials, but initial empirical treatment may not succeed because of the presence of MDR organisms, particularly in nosocomial infections. Antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended for patients with LC at a high risk of developing SBP, gastrointestinal bleeding, or a previous episode of SBP, but the increase in the risk of developing an infection caused by MDR organisms is a serious concern globally. Less is known about SFP in patients with LC, but the severity of underlying liver dysfunction may increase the hospital mortality. SFP mortality has been reported to be higher than that of SBP partially because the difficulty of early differentiation between SFP and SBP induces delayed antifungal therapy for SFP.

Prevalence, Clinical Profile, and Outcome of Ascitic Fluid Infection in Children With Liver Disease

OBJECTIVES

Pediatric literature on spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is limited. We evaluated the prevalence, subtypes, clinical profile, and effect on outcome of ascitic fluid infection (AFI) in children with liver disease.

METHODS

Children with liver disease-related ascites and subjected to paracentesis were classified as no-AFI and AFI (SBP, culture-negative neutrocytic ascites [CNNA], and monomicrobial non-neutrocytic bacterascites). Clinical and laboratory parameters, in-hospital mortality, and outcome in follow-up were noted.

RESULTS

Two hundred sixty-two children (163 boys; age 84 [1-240] months, chronic liver disease [CLD, n = 173], non-CLD [n = 89]) were enrolled. A total of 28.6% (n = 75) had SBP/CNNA, more common in CLD than non-CLD (55/173 [31.7%] vs 20/89 [22.4%]; P = 0.1). A total of 50.6% SBP/CNNA cases were symptomatic for AFI. Gram-negative bacilli were isolated from 70% SBP cases. Twenty-five percent (18/72) CLD children with AFI had a poor hospital outcome, with INR, Child-Pugh score and gastrointestinal bleeding predicting outcome on multivariate analysis. Patients with CLD with SBP had higher in-hospital mortality (10/20 vs 5/35; P = 0.01) than those with CNNA, but similar Child-Pugh score (12[7-15] vs 11[7-14]; P = 0.1), recurrence of AFI (3/9 vs 6/24; P = 0.6) and mortality in follow-up (22.2% vs 25%; P = 0.1). Patients with CLD with SBP/CNNA had higher mortality over 1 year follow-up than no-AFI (24.2% [8/33] vs 12.2% [7/57]; P = 0.1) but the difference was not significant.

CONCLUSIONS

A total of 28.6% children with liver disease-related ascites have SBP/CNNA; 50% are symptomatic. Patients with CLD with SBP/CNNA have a mortality of 24% over 1year follow-up. CLD with SBP is similar to CNNA except for higher in-hospital mortality.

Critical Role of IL-22/IL22-RA1 Signaling in Pneumococcal Pneumonia

IL-22-IL-22R signaling plays a crucial role in regulating host defenses against extracellular pathogens, particularly in the intestine, through the induction of antimicrobial peptides and chemotactic genes. However, the role of IL-22-IL-22R is understudied in Streptococcus pneumoniae lung infection, a prevalent pathogen of pneumonia. This paper presents the findings of IL-22 signaling during a murine model of pneumococcal pneumonia and improvement of bacterial burden upon IL-22 administration. IL-22 was rapidly induced in the lung during pneumococcal infection in wild-type mice, and Il22(-/-) mice had higher pneumococcal burdens compared with controls. Additionally, mice with hepatic-specific deletion of Il22ra1 also had higher bacterial burdens in lungs compared with littermate controls after intrapulmonary pneumococcal infection, suggesting that IL-22 signaling in the liver is important to control pneumococcal pneumonia. Thus, we hypothesized that enhancement of IL-22 signaling would control pneumococcal burden in lung tissues in an experimental pneumonia model. Administration of rIL-22 systemically to infected wild-type mice decreased bacterial burden in lung and liver at 24 h postinfection. Our in vitro studies also showed that mice treated with IL-22 had increased C3 expression in the liver compared with the isotype control group. Furthermore, serum from mice treated with IL-22 had improved opsonic capacity by increasing C3 binding on S. pneumoniae Taken together, endogenous IL-22 and hepatic IL-22R signaling play critical roles in controlling pneumococcal lung burden, and systemic IL-22 decreases bacterial burden in the lungs and peripheral organs by potentiating C3 opsonization on bacterial surfaces, through the increase of hepatic C3 expression.

Early post-operative acute phase response in patients with early graft dysfunction is predictive of 6-month and 12-month mortality in liver transplant recipients

Early allograft dysfunction (EAD) after liver transplantation is mostly a reversible event caused by factors related to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. EAD represents a hepatic injury associated with pre- and early post-transplant inflammatory cytokine responses. Aim of the present study was to evaluate the prognostic and diagnostic value of CRP in liver transplant recipients with EAD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-seven patients with EAD were compared with 115 non-EAD patients. Pre- and post-transplant parameters were analyzed. EAD was defined based on postoperative liver function tests such as INR, bilirubin and liver enzymes. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 18.0.

RESULTS

Pre-transplant liver enzyme were not significantly different in the two groups. At day 3, 5 and 10 post-transplant CRP was significantly higher in patients with EAD than in non-EAD patients (p⩽0.001 for all investigations) and remained consistently high in patients with EAD and low in non-EAD patients. EAD patients with high CRP at post-transplant days 3 and 5 showed lower survival at 6-month and 12-month post-transplant than patients with low CRP.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate a prognostic and diagnostic value of CRP in patients with early graft dysfunction and predict 6-month and 12-month mortality in liver transplant recipients.

Serum C-Reactive Protein in Children with Liver Disease and Ascites

BACKGROUND

The diagnosis of peritonitis as a complication of cirrhosis is an important clinical problem.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate serum C-reactive protein levels as a diagnostic factor for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in child patients with liver disease.

METHODS

In this study, 150 children diagnosed with liver disease and ascites upon admission to Nemazee Teaching Hospital (Shiraz, Iran) were examined. Patients were divided into spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and sterile ascetic fluid groups according to the PMN count ≥ 250/mm³ in the ascetic fluids. Routine laboratory tests were conducted and quantitative C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured for all of the patients. Accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of CRP was evaluated for diagnosis of SBP.

RESULTS

Of 150 cirrhotic patients, 109 patients presented without SBP (52.29% male, mean age: 5.02 ± 4.49 years) and 41 patients presented with SBP (51.21% male, mean age: 4.71 years). Cell counts, protein levels, albumin levels, and lactate dehydrogenize (LDH) levels of the ascetic fluid and serum samples in the SBP group were higher than the rates for those without SBP (P < 0.05(. The mean ± SD of CRP in the SBP group (36.89 ± 23.43) increased significantly compared to the rate among those without SBP (21.59 ± 15.43, P = 0.001). The percentages for sensitivity and specificity of CRP, the diagnosis of SBP based on the PMN count ≥ 250/mm³, and cultured ascites were 69.23%, 90.25%, 88.43%, and 84.32%, respectively. The areas under the curve of CRP for SBP based on the PMN count ≥ 250/mm³ and cultured ascites was 0.94 (CI 95%: 0.90 to 0.96) and 0.85 (CI 95%: 0.84 to 0.92), respectively (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed that CRP is a marker with high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of SBP in cirrhotic children.

Platelet indices and inflammatory markers as diagnostic predictors for ascitic fluid infection

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Ascitic fluid infection (AFI) is a common complication in patients with cirrhosis and ascites. Mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW) may be considered as simple and inexpensive indicators of inflammation in some diseases. We aimed to investigate whether platelet size alterations and platelet indices would be useful in predicting AFI in cirrhotic patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Of 210 patients, only 150 patients with ascites because of cirrhosis and 70 control participants were enrolled in this study. After ascitic fluid analysis, patients were divided into two groups: 84 patients had AFI and 66 patients did not have AFI. MPV, PDW, and inflammatory marker values were determined for all patients. The ability of platelet indices values to predict AFI in cirrhotic patients was analyzed using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.

RESULTS

A significant increase in MPV levels was observed in cirrhotic patients with AFI compared with cirrhotic patients without AFI and healthy controls (P<0.001). A significant increase in MPV, PDW, C-reactive protein, and white blood cell levels was observed in the AFI group compared with the other group (P<0.001, P=0.002, P<0.001, and P=0.001, respectively). The receiver operating characteristic curve for sensitivity and specificity of MPV was assessed. At a cutoff value of 8.77, MPV had 95.9% sensitivity and 91.7% specificity for detecting AFI (area under the curve: 0.964).

CONCLUSION

Platelet indices and C-reactive protein are increased in cirrhotic patients with AFI. MPV measurement can be considered an accurate diagnostic test in predicting AFI, possibly because of a continuous systemic inflammatory response.