Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis-based analysis of loss of heterozygosity distinguishes nonobvious, deleterious BRCA1 variants from nonpathogenic polymorphisms.

the effects of therapy on IL-8 concentrations, showed a statistically significant decrease (P ,0.05) in ascitic fluid IL-8 concentrations after 48 h of therapy. Ascitic fluid IL-8 concentrations on admission and at 48 h after the initiation of treatment are represented in Fig. 1. A cutoff value of 100 ng/L for the ascitic fluid IL-8 concentration yielded 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity for diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhotic patients. These data are the preliminary results of a larger study that is still ongoing to establish the possible prognostic value of ascitic fluid IL-8 in SBP patients. Two of 11 SBP patients developed septic shock, both patients having the highest ascitic fluid IL-8 concentrations. Up to now, we conclude that (a) IL-8 concentrations in ascitic fluid in SBP-cirrhotic patients are significantly greater than in patients with SA; (b) ascitic fluid IL-8 concentrations decrease from baseline to 48 h after the initiation of treatment in SBP patients; (c) in SBP patients, IL-8 concentrations in ascitic fluid are higher than plasma IL-8 concentrations, suggesting a local peritoneal production of IL-8 during SBP; (d) IL-8 seems to play a role in SBP in cirrhotic patients; and (e) IL-8 correctly classified SBP and SA patients.