title: Clinical and laboratorial features of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in southern Brazil.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a severe complication that occurs in 8-27% of hospitalized patients with liver cirrhosis and ascites, with high mortality rates. This study aimed to identify the clinical characteristics associated with SBP.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study, conducted in a public university.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study consecutively included individuals with liver cirrhosis and ascites between September 2009 and March 2012. Forty-five patients were included: mean age 53.2 ± 12.3 years, 82.2% male, 73.8% Caucasian, mean Model of End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score of 19.5 ± 7.2, and 33.3% with SBP. The subjects were divided into two groups: SBP and controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Comparison between individuals with SBP and controls showed that those with SBP had lower mean prothrombin activity time (36.1 ± 16.0% versus 47.1 ± 17.2%; P = 0.044) and lower median serum-ascites albumin gradient (SAAG) (1.2 versus 1.7, P = 0.045). There was a tendency towards higher mean MELD in the SBP group, not significant (22.2 ± 7.6 versus 17.9 ± 6.7; P = 0.067). There was a strong positive correlation between the neutrophil count in ascitic fluid and serum leukocyte count (r = 0.501; P = 0.001) and a negative correlation between the neutrophil count in ascitic fluid with prothrombin activity time (r = -0.385; P = 0.011).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A few characteristics are associated with the presence of SBP, especially liver dysfunction, SAAG and peripheral leukocytosis.
authors: Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
authors: Gabriela Bicca
authors: GB
authors: Thiele
authors: Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
authors: Otávio Marcos da
authors: OM
authors: Silva
authors: Núcleo de Estudos em Gastroenterologia e Hepatologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
authors: Leonardo
authors: L
authors: Fayad
authors: Núcleo de Estudos em Gastroenterologia e Hepatologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
authors: César
authors: C
authors: Lazzarotto
authors: Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
authors: Mariana do Amaral
authors: Mdo A
authors: Ferreira
authors: Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
authors: Maíra Luciana
authors: ML
authors: Marconcini
authors: Núcleo de Estudos em Gastroenterologia e Hepatologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
authors: Esther Buzaglo
authors: EB
authors: Dantas-Corrêa
authors: Núcleo de Estudos em Gastroenterologia e Hepatologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
authors: Leonardo de Lucca
authors: Lde L
authors: Schiavon
authors: Núcleo de Estudos em Gastroenterologia e Hepatologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
authors: Janaína Luz
authors: JL
authors: Narciso-Schiavon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001201:Ascites / Q000150:complications*; D001202:Ascitic Fluid; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000473:pathology; D019152:Paracentesis / Q000379:methods; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D011517:Prothrombin Time; D012720:Severity of Illness Index