Bedside Inoculation of Ascitic Fluid in Diagnostic Paracentesis
Bedside Inoculation of Ascitic Fluid in Diagnostic Paracentesis
This study seeks to determine non inferiority of direct inoculation of ascitic fluid in lab
 as compared to current culture media standard, bedside inoculation with blood culture
 bottles.
The purpose of this study is to validate the principal study that recommends inoculation with
 blood culture bottles at bedside versus lab inoculation (delayed inoculation) of ascitic
 fluid in the diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. This study had a small sample
 size (29) and goal is to validate results with a larger sample size. The aim of current
 proposed study is to assess for non inferiority of lab inoculation of ascitic fluid culture
 versus current standard of blood culture bottles. To achieve 90% power and true sensitivity
 95%, goal is to enroll 460 patients within the course of a year or until number of samples is
 reached, with plan to compare the sensitivity of bedside inoculation of blood culture bottles
 versus the lab using sterile plate techniques as per current lab culture technique. Unlike
 previous study, all comers for ascitic fluid collected will be analyzed that are to undergo
 diagnostic paracentesis.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Ascites on ultrasound

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Consent declined