Abstract: Objective　To observe the level of plasma procalcitonin (PCT) in patients with hepatic cirrhosis and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP).   Methods　A total of 30 patients with hepatic cirrhosis and ascites were enrolled， including 16 patients without SBP (the non-SBP group) and 14 patients with SBP (the SBP group), and 20 healthy subjects were enrolled as controls. The levels of plasma PCT and serum C reative protein (CRP) were measured by semi-quantitative immunochromatographic test. The levels at the first time determination were as baseline values. Results　The levels of plasma PCT and serum CRP significantly increased in SBP group 3h， 6h， 12h after SBP occured when compared with the baseline values (P<0.01)， and were significantly higher than those in the non-SBP group and controls (P<0.01). After treatment， the levels of plasma PCT in the survivals were (0.48±0.25) ng/mL in the SBP group and (0.49±0.14) ng/mL in the non-SBP group， and no statistical significance was found (P>0.05). They were significantly lower than the baseline values (P<0.01). The levels of plasma PCT in the dying patients kept on a high level after treatment， and that in the SBP group ［4 cases， (37.67±15.48) ng/mL］ was significantly higher than that in the non-SBP group ［4 cases，(14.75±7.89) ng/mL］. Conclusions　The level of plasma PCT is useful for the diagnosis of SBP in patients with hepatic cirrhosis and ascites. If keeping on a high level， it may indicate bacterial infection and a bad prognosis.

Key words: Procalcitonin, Hepatic cirrhosis, Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis