Clinical evaluation of droplet digital pcr for suspected ascites infection in patients with liver cirrhosis

Droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) is increasingly used in diagnosing clinical pathogens, but its effectiveness in cirrhosis patients with suspected ascites infection remains uncertain. The diagnostic performance of ddPCR was assessed in 305 ascites samples, utilizing culture and clinical composite standards. The quantitative value and potential clinical impact of ddPCR were further analyzed in patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. With culture standards, ddPCR demonstrated a sensitivity of 86.5