This work aimed to evaluate the evolution of serum and ascitic fluid levels of soluble adhesion molecules and its possible impact on the outcome of infection in cases of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). Serum and ascitic fluid concentrations of Soluble L-selectin (s L-selectin), Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and the chemokine interleukin-8 (IL-8) in a group of SBP cases (n = 17) , a control group of non-infected ascitic cirrhotics (n == 11), and a normal healthy control group (n = 10), have been serially estimated. Both cirrhotic groups had significantly higher levels of the studied cytokines compared to normal control. Cases of SBP showed higher serum and ascitic fluid concentrations of ICAM-1 and It-8 compared to the non-infected ascitic cases. The ascitic fluid sL-selectin and IL-8 were higher in culture positive SBP patients particularly in those with gram positive isolates. After resolution of SBP infection, the levels of the studied cytokines remained high. Significantly elevated levels of serum ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were detected in non-survivors among SBP patients. Thus, prognostic significance seems to be associated with serum ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in SBP cases.
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