 As for the significance of ascitic fluid proteins, it was demonstrated that cirrhotic patients with ascitic protein concentrations below 1 g/dL were 10 times more likely to develop SBP than individuals with higher concentrations.It is thought that the antibacterial, or opsonic, activity of ascitic fluid is closely correlated with the protein concentration.Additional studies have confirmed the validity of the ascitic fluid protein concentration as the best predictor of the first episode of SBP.