Diagnostic Accuracy of Leukocyte Esterase Dipstick Test in Early Detection of Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis in Cirrhotic Patients

Abstract

Objective: To assess the investigative precision of the leukocyte esterase dipstick test in detecting Spontaneous
Bacterial Peritonitis (SBP) among cirrhotic patients.
Methodology: During the study period. 132 cirrhotic patients were enrolled reported with grade 2 or 3 ascites.
Investigative abdominocentesis was completed under stringently sanitised circumstances. A smaller sample of ascitic
fluid (10mL) screened for the analysis whereas, a larger sample (30mL) was kept for the dipstick test to determine the
granulocyte esterase activity. Using a color-calibrated scale, Leukocyte levels were computed. ++ and +++ dipstick
results were marked as positive. Critical investigative metrics were measured discretely for positive dipstick grades.
Results: The results of the study showed that with LERS++, the confirmation rate for SBP was 85.7% in contrast to the
patients with LERS+++ which was increased to 87.5%. LERS++ threshold was calculated as follows: overall diagnostic
accuracy, 79.5%, specificity, 96.7%, sensitivity, 42.9%, PPV, 85.7%, NPV, 78.4%. LERS+++ threshold was as follows:
overall diagnostic accuracy 81.8%, sensitivity 50%, specificity, 80.6%, PPV 87.5%, and NPV 80.6%.
Conclusion: In order to detect SBP in cirrhotic patients, the LERS (leukocyte esterase dipstick) test appears to possess
speedy, cost-economical, and sensible diagnostic benefits having affordable diagnostic precision.
Keywords: Ascitic Fluid Analysis; Cirrhosis; Diagnostic Accuracy; Leukocyte Esterase Dipstick Test; Spontaneous
Bacterial Peritonitis,