Background and aims: Bacterial infections of ascitic fluid of cirrhotic patients are related to high
morbidity and mortality. The aim of the study was to determine the variants of ascitic fluid bacterial
infection in patients with advanced cirrhosis (Child Pugh Class C).
Materials and methods: We analyzed 35 consecutive cirrhotic patients of Child Pugh Class C with
ascites attending the outpatient department (OPD) of Hepatology Department, Bangabandhu Sheikh
Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh from January 2008 to December 2009. Clinical and
laboratory parameters of these patients were recorded.
Results: Among the total 35 patients, eight patients were symptomatic and 27 patients were
asymptomatic. Out of eight symptomatic patients, two had ascitic fluid bacterial infection (25%), whereas
six of 27 asymptomatic patients (22.2%) had ascitic fluid bacterial infection.
Conclusion: Bacterial infection should always be considered in patients with ascites with liver cirrhosis
irrespective of their symptoms.