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Variant of Ascitic Fluid Bacterial Infections in Patients of Liver Cirrhosis

Jahangir Alam Sarker1, Md Shahinul Alam2, Mobin Khan2

  • 1Department of Hepatology, Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Euroasian Journal of Hepato-Gastroenterology
|December 5, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Bacterial infections in cirrhotic patients with ascites can occur in both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. Early consideration of infection is crucial for managing liver cirrhosis complications.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Ascitic fluid bacterial infection is a serious complication in cirrhotic patients, linked to increased morbidity and mortality.
  • Advanced liver cirrhosis, specifically Child Pugh Class C, presents a significant risk for developing bacterial infections in ascites.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of bacterial infections within the ascitic fluid of patients diagnosed with advanced cirrhosis (Child Pugh Class C).

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 35 consecutive cirrhotic patients (Child Pugh Class C) with ascites was analyzed.
  • Clinical and laboratory data were systematically collected from patients attending the Hepatology outpatient department.
  • The study period spanned from January 2008 to December 2009.

Main Results:

  • Among the 35 patients, 8 were symptomatic and 27 were asymptomatic.
  • Bacterial infection was identified in 25% of symptomatic patients (2 out of 8).
  • A significant rate of infection was also observed in asymptomatic patients, with 22.2% (6 out of 27) testing positive.

Conclusions:

  • Bacterial infection in ascites should be suspected in all patients with liver cirrhosis, regardless of the presence or absence of symptoms.
  • This finding underscores the importance of diagnostic evaluation for bacterial infection even in non-symptomatic individuals with ascites.
Abstract

Keywords:
Ascitic fluid bacterial infectionsChild Pugh CCirrhosisVariant.

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