Application of serum PCT, SAA, and IL-8 in the diagnosis of ascites infection in patients with liver cirrhosis

Abstract

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of serum procalcitonin (PCT), serum amyloid protein A (SAA), and interleukin-8 (IL-8) in cirrhotic patients with ascites infection. Methods 119 cases of cirrhotic ascites treated in our hospital from December 2016 to October 2018 were divided into two groups: infection group (38 cases) and non-infectious group (81 cases). At the same time 23 persons undergoing health examination in our hospital were selected as control group. All the subjects were examined by serum PCT,SAA, and IL-8, and the results were analyzed as well as the distribution of pathogenic bacteria in patients with ascites infection. Results Among 38 patients with ascites infection, 41 strains of pathogenic bacteria were isolated, of which 65.85% were Gram-positive bacteria and 34.15% were Gram-negative bacteria. The levels of serum PCT, SAA, and IL-8 in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05), and the levels of serum PCT, SAA, and IL-8 in the infection group were higher than those in the non infection group (P<0.05). Conclusion Serum PCT, SAA, and IL-8 are important indexes for clinical analysis of ascites infection in cirrhotic patients. Key words: Liver cirrhosis ascites; Infection; Serum PCT; Serum SAA; IL-8