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A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF BACTERIAL INFECTIONS IN PATIENTS WITH ALCOHOLIC LIVER
CIRRHOSIS
Autors: Raluca Cezara Popa1 , Cristina Cijevschi Prelipcean1,2, Otilia Gavrilescu1,2, Irina Ungureanu1,
Iolanda Popa1, Alexandra Savin1, Mihaela Dranga1,2
1 Institute of Gastroenterology and HepatologyIași
2 University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Gr. T. Popa” Iasi
Introduction: Patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis are at increased risk of developing bacterial
infections, sepsis and death due to an innate and adaptive immune dysfunction. The aim of this study
was to determine the prevalence, localization and etiology of bacterial infections in patients with
alcoholic liver cirrhosis.
Materials and methods: We conducted a retrospective study including patients with clinically and/or
histologically confirmed alcoholic liver cirrhosis, hospitalized in our gastroenterology and hepatology
department between 2014 and 2016. Demographic (age, sex), clinical characteristics and laboratory
findings were collected from medical records. Standard criteria were used to define all specific types of
infections.
Results: 140 patients were included: male/female: 122/18; mean age = 55.92 (SD = 7.96). The
prevalence of bacterial infection was 34.28%. The most frequent infections were: urinary tract infection
(37.5%) and pneumonia (31.25%) followed by spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (18.75%), sepsis (8.33%)
and cholangitis (2.08%). In one case, the location of infection remained undetermined. Only 3 cases
were acquired in the healthcare settings. The most common species were gram negative bacteria. The
mortality rate was 8.33% (septic shock – 1 case; renal failure – 3 cases).
Conclusions: In our study, the prevalence of bacterial infections in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis
was 34.28%. Early diagnosis, proper antibiotic treatment and supportive measures are necessary to
decrease the morbidity and mortality rate.
Keywords: bacterial infection, alcoholic cirrhosis