Table 1. Ascitic fluid characteristics in chylous ascites (adapted from Cardenas and Chopra, 2002)3.

Characteristics	Value
Color	Milky and cloudy
Triglyceride level	>200 mg/dL
Cell count	>500 (predominance of lymphocytes)
Total protein	2.5–7.0 g/dL
SAAG	Depends on the underlying etiology
Cholesterol	Low (ascites/serum ratio <1)
Lactate dehydrogenase	Between 110–200 IU/L
Culture	May be positive
Amylase	Elevated in cases of pancreatitis
Cytology	Positive in malignancy
Glucose	<100 mg/dL
Adenosine deaminase	Elevated in cases of tuberculosis