The Role of Serum Procalcitonin Level as an Early Marker of Ascitic Fluid Infection in Post Hepatitic Cirrhotic Patients.

Aims & Background: The early diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) has been considered important in the overall patient's survival. Ascitic fluid culture examination performance, in the emergency setting, is time-consuming and not always available, so there is a need for easy to apply, rapid and reliable markers for diagnosis of patients with ascites. The present prospective study aimed to determine the early diagnostic value of serum procalcitonin (PCT) levels in decompensated cirrhotic patients (DCPs) with SBP.