Table 2.

Representation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis heat shock protein 14 (14-kDa HSP), in ascitic fluid from TB ascites and non-TB ascites patients using the antibodies generated against 14-kDa HSP by ELISA.

Patients group	Positive for 14 kDa Hsp antigen (cut off 0.631)	Negative for 14 kDa Hsp antigen (cut off 0.631)	Absorbance (mean ± SD)	Range
TB ascites (n = 18)	18 (100%)	0 (00%)	0.814 ± 0.134	0.637–1.029
Non TB ascites (n = 21)	5 (23.80%)	16 (76.20%)	0.571 ± 0.118	0.336–0.907

The mean 14-kDa HSP antigen value (with range) in the TB ascites group was significantly higher than that in the non-TB ascites group [p < 0.0001].