S pontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a frequent and severe complication of cirrhosis. As a marker of severe hepatic dysfunction, SBP occurs in up to 30% of patients with cirrhosis and ascites. 1 The survival of patients with liver cirrhosis who recover from a first episode of SBP is significantly reduced and despite antibiotic treatment, SBP is still associated with in-hospital mortality rates between 15% and 30%. [2][3][4] The term SBP was

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We found no correlation between detection of bacterial DNA in ascites and SBP (polymorphonuclear count > 250/mm). In contrast to the patients with bacterial DNA in ascites, patients with SBP showed clinical signs of infection. This study provides no evidence that detection of bacterial DNA in ascites of patients with liver cirrhosis is of clinical or diagnostic relevance when using the panel of LightCycler SeptiFast Kit Mgrade.

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