Obstructive jaundice promotes bacterial translocation in humans

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Sepsis Research
• Surgical Patient Outcomes

Background:

• Bacterial translocation is known after experimental biliary obstruction.
• The prevalence and importance of gut-origin sepsis in obstructive jaundice patients are poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the concept of gut-origin sepsis in obstructive jaundice patients.
• To determine the clinical importance of gut-origin sepsis in this patient population.

Main Methods:

• Studied 21 patients with obstructive jaundice (group I) and 30 controls (group II).
• Collected peritoneal swabs, mesenteric lymph nodes, portal venous blood, liver biopsies, and bile for culture.
• Monitored patients for post-operative infectious complications.

Main Results:

• Group I patients had significantly higher bilirubin, GGT, and ALP levels.
• Bacterial translocation occurred in 24% of group I patients versus 3.5% in group II (p < 0.05).
• Septic complications were observed in three patients, primarily those with bacterial translocation.

Conclusions:

• Obstructive jaundice significantly promotes bacterial translocation in humans.
• The clinical significance of bacterial translocation in obstructive jaundice remains to be defined.