| Color | Milky and cloudy |
| Triglyceride level | Above 200 mg/dL |
| Cell count | Above 500 (predominance of lymphocytes) |
| Total protein | Between 2.5 - 7.0 g/dL |
| SAAG | Below 1.1 g/dL* |
| Cholesterol | Low (ascites/serum ratio <1) |
| Lactate dehydrogenase | Between 110 - 200 IU/liter |
| Culture | Positive in selected cases of tuberculosis |
| Adenosine deaminase | Elevated in cases of tuberculosis |
| Cytology | Positive in malignancy |
| Glucose | Under 100 mg/dL |
| Amylase | Elevated (>40 IU/liter) in cases of acute or chronic pancreatitis |
