title: Disease dependent qualitative and quantitative differences in the inflammatory response to ascites occurring in cirrhotics.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess differing patterns and levels of ascitic fluid cyctokine and growth factors exist between those with a high risk and low risk of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP).
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 57 consecutive patients with ascites requiring a large volume paracentesis were studied. Their age, gender, specific underlying disease conditions were recorded after a review of their clinical records. Each underwent a routine assessment prior to their paracentesis consisting of a complete blood count, complete metabolic profile and prothrombin time/international normalized ratio (INR) determination. The ascitic fluid was cultured and a complete cell count and albumin determination was obtained on the fluid. In addition, blood and ascitic fluid was assessed for the levels of interleukin interleukin (IL)-1A, IL-1B, IL-2, IL-4, IL-8, IL-10, monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interferon (IFN)-γ, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) utilizing the Randox Biochip platforms (Boston, MA). A serum-ascites gradient, for each cytokine and growth factor was calculated. The results are reported as mean ± SEM between disease groups with statistical analysis consisting of the student t-test (two tailed) with a P value of 0.05 defining significance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No clinically important demographic or biochemical differences between the 4 groups studied were evident. In contrast, marked difference in the cytokine and growth factors levels and pattern were evident between the 4 disease groups. Individuals with alcoholic cirrhosis had the highest levels of IL-1A, IL-1B, IL-4, IFNγ. Those with malignant disease had the highest levels of IL-2. Those with hepatitis C virus (HCV) associated cirrhosis had the highest value for IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, MCP-1 and VEGF. Those with cardiac disease had the highest level of TNF-α and EGF. The calculated serum- ascites gradients for the cardiac and malignant disease groups had a greater frequency of negative values signifying greater levels of IL-8, IL-10 and MCP-1 in ascites than did those with alcohol or HCV disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data document important differences in the cytokine and growth factor levels in plasma, ascitic fluid and the calculated plasma - ascites fluid gradients in cirrhotics requiring a large volume paracentesis. These differences may be important in determining the risk for bacterial peritonitis.
authors.affiliation: Bashar M Attar, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, John H Stroger Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, IL 60612, United States.
authors.forename: Bashar M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Attar
authors.affiliation: Bashar M Attar, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, John H Stroger Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, IL 60612, United States.
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: George
authors.affiliation: Bashar M Attar, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, John H Stroger Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, IL 60612, United States.
authors.forename: Nicolae
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ion-Nedelcu
authors.affiliation: Bashar M Attar, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, John H Stroger Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, IL 60612, United States.
authors.forename: Guilliano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ramadori
authors.affiliation: Bashar M Attar, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, John H Stroger Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, IL 60612, United States.
authors.forename: David H Van
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Thiel
keywords: Ascites; Cirrhosis; Growth factors; Inflammation; Procalcitonin