Fluid Analysis – Part 3 – Ascitic fluid Etiological Classification
Sample
- The ascitic fluid is needed for analysis.
- Ascitic fluids have a characteristic appearance and biochemical features in various diseases.
The following table shows the differences in various diseases:
| 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 | 10000 | 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
Classification of body fluids from various sites
- Note: Please see more details in the Fluid analysis.