title: Instant diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis using leukocyte esterase reagent strips: Nephur-Test vs. MultistixSG.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP), defined by an ascites neutrophil count >250/mul, is a severe complication of cirrhosis and demands prompt diagnosis. Leukocyte esterase reagent strips can rapidly detect leukocytes in physiological fluids. We compared the performance of two leukocyte esterase reagent strips in the diagnosis of SBP.
  
  
  METHODS
  Non-selected patients with cirrhosis and ascites were prospectively included in a Community Hospital. Manual ascites cytology, culture and BIOCHEMISTRY were compared with the Nephur-Test (read at 60 s: negative + 1 to + 3) and MultistixSG (read at 120 s: negative, trace, +1 to +3). Multiple investigators performed the tests with repeat readings by one nurse.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two hundred and forty five ascites fluid samples were obtained in 51 patients: 44% in conditions of SBP antibiotic prophylaxis, 64% in an ambulatory setting. Seventeen samples had an ascites polymorphonuclear count of > or =250/microl, associated with a positive ascites culture in seven, obtained in 12 patients (24%), 53% in an ambulatory setting. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were: Nephur-Test (88.2%, 99.6%, 93.8%, 99.1%); MultistixSG (64.7%, 99.6%, 91.7%, 97.4%). There was excellent agreement between the investigators and the nurse.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Leukocyte esterase reagent strips may provide a rapid bedside diagnosis of SBP and thereby shorten time to appropriate management. The Nephur-Test appeared to out-perform MultistixSG. These tests might be particularly useful in ambulatory settings or whenever ascites fluid analysis is not rapidly available.
authors.affiliation: Service Hepatogastroenterologie, Centre Hospitalier General de Chateauroux, France.
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sapey
authors.forename: Denis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kabissa
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fort
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Laurin
authors.forename: Michel Henry
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Mendler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques / Q000379:methods; D015331:Cohort Studies; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D011934:Reagent Strips; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D011934:Reagent Strips