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[Mycotic complications in patients with chronic liver diseases and pancreatitis]
M Knoke1, H Bernhardt, M Wiersbitzky
1Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin A, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Universität Greifswald, BR Deutschland.
Unlabelled:
We studied 15 patients with mostly alcoholic liver diseases and 25 patients with acute or chronic pancreatitis with regard to occurrence of yeasts in different microbiological samples and corresponding serological findings. In about a half of the patients with liver diseases yeast counts and serological titres were already raised in the first mycological investigation. Patients with pancreatitis, however, showed only little or negative cultural and serological results. This changed during the course of disease, where they developed significantly higher yeast counts and serotitres. Finally two case reports are presented: two patients with infected pancreatic pseudocysts (including a case of aspergillosis).
Conclusions:
in patients with decompensated chronic liver diseases an early search for mycological complications is recommended. In pancreatic diseases these complications are rather seen later in the course of the disease, especially under intensive care conditions. Therefore, we encourage surveillance cultures and control of serotitres in these patients.
Insights
Yeast infections are common in alcoholic liver disease patients early on. Pancreatitis patients develop significant yeast complications later, especially in intensive care, requiring monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Gastroenterology
Context:
- Liver diseases, particularly alcoholic liver disease, and acute or chronic pancreatitis are common conditions.
- Fungal infections, specifically by yeasts, can be a complication in patients with these gastrointestinal and hepatic disorders.
Purpose:
- To investigate the occurrence of yeasts and associated serological findings in patients with liver diseases and pancreatitis.
- To compare the timing and significance of yeast colonization and seroconversion between these two patient groups.
Summary:
- A study of 15 patients with liver disease and 25 with pancreatitis examined yeast presence in microbiological samples and serological titers.
- Liver disease patients often showed elevated yeast counts and titers early, while pancreatitis patients exhibited delayed but significant increases.
- Two cases of infected pancreatic pseudocysts, including aspergillosis, were detailed.
Impact:
- Early mycological screening is advised for patients with decompensated chronic liver diseases to detect complications promptly.
- Surveillance cultures and serological monitoring are recommended for pancreatitis patients, particularly those under intensive care, due to later-onset fungal complications.