Table 3.

Ascitic fluid analysis

	Analysis	Diagnosis
Routine	Cell count and differential	Ascites differential diagnosis,
	Albumin	Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
	Total protein
Optional	Gram stain	Bacterial infection
	Culture in blood culture bottle
	Cytology	Malignant ascites
	Acid-fast bacilli smear and culture	Tuberculous peritonitis
	Adenosine deaminase
	Lactate dehydrogenase	Secondary bacterial peritonitis
	Glucose
	Carcinoembryonic antigen
	Alkaline phosphatase
	Amylase	Pancreatic ascites
	Triglyceride	Chylous ascites
	Bilirubin	Biliary tract perforation
	Urea, creatinine	Urinary ascites