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[Bacteriuria in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis]
1Centro de Gastroenterología, Hospital Clínico, Universidad de Chile, Santiago de Chile.
Revista Medica De Chile
|May 1, 1993
Summary
Women with primary biliary cirrhosis have a higher incidence of significant bacteriuria compared to those with autoimmune hepatitis. This suggests a potential link between urinary tract infections and primary biliary cirrhosis pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Urology
Background:
- The role of significant bacteriuria in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) pathogenesis remains debated.
- Gram-negative bacterial infections are hypothesized to contribute to PBC development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the prevalence of bacteriuria in patients diagnosed with primary biliary cirrhosis versus autoimmune chronic hepatitis.
- Investigate potential associations between urinary tract infections and liver disease etiology.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study involving 20 women with PBC and 23 with autoimmune chronic hepatitis.
- Routine bacteriological urine cultures performed at 3-month intervals or upon symptom onset.
- Significant bacteriuria defined as >10^5 organisms/ml in pure urine culture.
Main Results:
- 35% of PBC patients (21/60 samples) showed significant bacteriuria, compared to 9% (7/73 samples) in autoimmune hepatitis patients (p < 0.01).
- Over 8 months, 50% of PBC patients (10/20) and 26% of autoimmune hepatitis patients (6/23) experienced at least one episode of significant bacteriuria.
Conclusions:
- Female patients with primary biliary cirrhosis exhibit a significantly higher risk of significant bacteriuria than those with autoimmune hepatitis.
- Further research, including prospective studies on long-term antibiotic therapy, is warranted to explore the impact on PBC cholestasis parameters.