Is myeloperoxidase level in ascites a predictive factor for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis?

Abstract

Aim: Myeloperoxidase is mainly found in the azurophilic granules of human polymorphic nucleated neutrophils, and it is one of the enzymes that has a role in the host defense. Deteriorations in both humoral and cellular immunity, and decreases in the filtration functions of liver and the antimicrobial capacity of ascites fluid increase the risk of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in patients with cirrhosis. The aim of this study is to evaluate if there is a difference in the serum-ascites myeloperoxidase levels of patients with ascites due to liver cirrhosis and other non-cirrhotic diseases, which are clinical conditions that spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is frequently seen.