Bacterial infections in cirrhosis of liver: a hospital based study

Bacterial infections represents one of the most important precipitating event for acute decompensation and mortality in a case of cirrhosis of liver. Patients with cirrhosis are highly susceptible for bacterial infections and their severe courses. Infections occur more often in advanced stage of liver disease, impair hepatic function, trigger the onset of complications, and are significant factors of mortality as well. Gastrointestinal hemorrhage confers a higher risk for infections and infections play important role in provoking of variceal bleeding episodes and can also be associated with the failure to control bleeding. The incidence and severity of infection in cirrhosis is greater than in the population without cirrhosis. Infection with multi resistant organisms is common in cirrhosis and its occurrence is associated with higher mortality rates than in patients without cirrhosis. The endorgan damaging effect of bacterial infection is greater in patients with cirrhosis due to altered sensitivity, which often culminates in acute-on-chronic liver failure. Delays in the diagnosis and start of treatment results in higher mortality particularly in hypotensive patients with cirrhosis. Materials and methods: This was a hospital based observational, descriptive study to find data on bacterial infection in 123 cirrhotic patients. Results: Bacterial infection was present in 41(33.33%) patients of study population. SBP was the most common (39.02%) bacterial infection documented. In hospital mortality was highest with Child Pugh Class C (50%). Conclusion: With increase in Child Pugh Class, bacterial infections and in hospital mortality increases.