Ascitic Fluid in Various Diseases

What sample will you use for Ascitic fluid?

1. The ascitic fluid is needed for analysis.

1. Ascitic fluids have a characteristic appearance and biochemical features in various diseases.

How will you summarize the differences in various causes of ascitic fluid?

Disease	appearance	Protein g/dL	Sp.gravity	RBC/cmm	WBC/cmm	Type of cell
Cirrhosis	straw color/bile-stained	< 2.5	<1.016		<250	Pred. Meso. cells
TB peritonitis	clear/turbid or chylous	> 2.5	>1.016	variable	>1000	Variable/Lymph
Neoplasm	straw/haem./mucin	>2.5	>1.016	variable	10,000	Malignant cell-positive
Pyogenic peritonitis	Turbid	>2.5	> 1,016	Uncommon	>10,000	Polys
Congestive H.failure	Straw	Variable	Variable	Variable	>1000	Mesoth. cells
Nephrosis	Straw/chylous	<2.5	<1.016	Variable	< 250	Mesoth./mononucl.
Pancreatitis	Turbid/haem	>2.5	>1.016	Variable	Variable	Polys

• mononucl. = mononuclear cells
• meso = mesothelial cells
• haem = hemorrhagic

• Note: Please see the Fluid analysis for more details.

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