Impact of Bacteria Types on the Clinical Outcomes of Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis

Cameron Furey1, Selena Zhou1, Joo Hye Park1

  • 1Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern, California2011 Zonal Avenue, HMR 801A, Los Angeles, CA, 90033-9141, USA.

Abstract

Insights

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in cirrhotic patients has varying mortality risks based on the causative bacteria. Klebsiella infection is linked to worse outcomes, while Streptococcus shows a more favorable prognosis, impacting patient prognostication.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) significantly increases short-term mortality risk in cirrhotic patients.
  • High Model for End-Stage Liver Disease-Sodium (MELD-Na) scores and multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria in ascites are known adverse prognostic factors.
  • The specific impact of individual causative microorganisms on SBP progression and mortality has not been well-defined.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of specific causative microorganisms on SBP progression and mortality in cirrhotic patients.
  • To determine if the type of bacteria isolated from ascites influences clinical outcomes beyond established risk factors like MELD-Na and MDR.
  • To assess the prognostic value of identifying individual pathogens in SBP management.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 267 cirrhotic patients with SBP diagnosed via paracentesis between January 2015 and January 2021.
  • Patients were stratified by the causative microorganism identified in ascitic fluid cultures.
  • Primary outcome: SBP progression, defined as death or liver transplantation within one month of paracentesis, analyzed by microorganism type, adjusting for MELD-Na and MDR status.

Main Results:

  • Eighty-eight SBP cases yielded causative microorganisms, with E. coli (33%), Streptococcus (15%), and Klebsiella (13%) being most common; 41% of isolates were MDR.
  • One-month SBP progression rates varied significantly: 91% for Klebsiella, 59% for E. coli, and 16% for Streptococcus.
  • After adjusting for MELD-Na and MDR, Klebsiella remained associated with an elevated risk (HR 2.07) and Streptococcus with a decreased risk (HR 0.28) of SBP progression compared to other bacteria.

Conclusions:

  • The causative microorganism in SBP plays a critical role in determining patient outcomes.
  • Klebsiella-associated SBP confers a worse prognosis, whereas Streptococcus-associated SBP is linked to more favorable outcomes, even after accounting for MELD-Na and MDR.
  • Identifying specific pathogens is essential for accurate prognostication and optimizing treatment strategies in cirrhotic patients with SBP.

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