A new highly sensitive point of care screen for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis using the leukocyte esterase method.

Background & Aims: Urine reagent strips measuring leukocyte esterase activity have been studied to screen spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) but are insensitive. We calibrated a strip specifically for ascitic fluid to achieve high sensitivity in this diagnosis.

Methods: Experiments were conducted on ascitic fluid from patients with cirrhosis.

The impact of intercurrent EBV infection on ATP levels in CD4+ T cells of pediatric kidney transplant recipients.

ImmuKnow measures ATP (ng/mL) in PHA-activated CD4+ T cells from patient's whole blood. According to published reports, median ImmuKnow is 258 ng/mL in stable pediatric kidney transplant (PKT) recipients > or =12 yr, and 165 ng/mL in those <12 yr. However, data on the effect of infection or AR on ImmuKnow are scarce.