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Accordingly, the basic PF profile should include (1) serum to effusion albumin gradient and (2) automated cell counts with differential analysis. This profile allows to determine the PF nature, differentiating between \u2018high-albumin gradient\u2019 and \u2018low-albumin gradient\u2019 effusions, which helps to identify the pathophysiological process causing the ascites formation. Restricted to specific clinical situations, additional tests can be requested as follows: PF lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and glucose, to exclude (LDH) or confirm (glucose) secondary bacterial peritonitis; PF total protein, to differentiate ascites of cardiac origin from other causes; PF (pancreatic) amylase, for the identification of pancreatic ascites; PF bilirubin, when a choleperitoneum is suspected; PF triglycerides, in differentiating chylous from pseudochylous ascites and PF creatinine, to detect intraperitoneal urinary leakage.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1136\/jcp-2023-209282","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2024,3,27]],"date-time":"2024-03-27T13:51:19Z","timestamp":1711547479000},"page":"579-585","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1136\/crossmarkpolicy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":5,"title":["Laboratory investigation of peritoneal fluids: an updated practical approach based on the available evidence"],"prefix":"10.1136","volume":"77","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-7784-3055","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Giulia","family":"Colombo","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Clinical Pathology Unit, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, Milano, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Elena","family":"Aloisio","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Clinical Pathology Unit, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, Milano, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-7147-3433","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Mauro","family":"Panteghini","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Clinical Pathology Unit, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, Milano, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"239","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2024,3,27]]},"reference":[{"key":"2025120518345870000_77.9.579.1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/hep.31884"},{"key":"2025120518345870000_77.9.579.2","unstructured":"Association of Clinical Biochemists in Ireland (ACBI) Scientific Committee Guidelines . 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