Rifaximin for the prevention of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis

Table 1 Ascites cytological characteristics and plasma endotoxin levels in patients after rifaximin treatment or in observational period

	Group 1 (n = 9)			Group 2 (n = 7)
	Baseline	4 wk	P value	Baseline	4 wk	P value
WBC count (per mm3)	147.7 ± 24.1	107.7 ± 16.6	0.004	164.5 ± 30.2	175 ± 20.8	NS
Neutrophil count (per mm3)	28.4 ± 9.3	13.5 ± 4.3	0.01	34.6 ± 6.4	37.9 ± 7.2	NS
AF% neutrophils	17.1 ± 3	11.2 ± 2.1	0.0008	21.6 ± 3.5	22.1 ± 2.5	NS
Plasma endotoxin (EU/mL)	3.3 ± 1.1	1.6 ± 0.5	0.03	2.9 ± 0.9	3 ± 0.8	NS

Data are expressed as mean ± SE. WBC: White blood cell; NS: Not significant; AF: Ascitic fluid. Group 1: 9 cirrhotic patients with refractory ascites at baseline and after 4-wk rifaximin treatment; Group 2: 7 patients in the observational period.