Comparison of bacterial infection rate between patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis and viral liver cirrhosis

Han, Sang Pyo; Kim, Jeong Wook; Kim, Suk Won; Heo, Chae; Kim, Kwang Jin; Kim, Hyung Joon; Do, Jae Hyuk; Kim, Jae Gyu; Chang, Sae Kyung; Park, Sill Moo

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Some studies have reported that bacterial infection is more common in alcoholic compared to non-alcoholic liver cirrhosis such as viral liver cirrhosis. However, other studies reported no significant differences in the bacterial infection rate between alcoholic and non-alcoholic liver cirrhosis. This study was performed to compare the frequency of bacterial infection between alcoholic and viral liver cirrhosis.
METHODS
We analyzed 190 cirrhotic patients (alcoholic 83, viral 107) with 539 hospitalized cases (alcoholic 242, viral 297) who were followed for more than 12 months.
RESULTS
During the follow up period, 82 patients (43.2%) presented with bacterial infectionsthat developed in 34 (41.0%) patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis and 48 (44.9%) patients with viral liver cirrhosis. There was no significant difference in the frequency of bacterial infection including community acquired and nosocomial infection between alcoholic and viral cirrhotic patients regarding the Child-Pugh class, various laboratory parameters and site of infection. Gram-negative and enteric bacterial strains were the most frequently isolated pathogens in both groups.
CONCLUSIONS
There was no significant difference in the frequency of infection between patients with alcoholic and viral liver cirrhosis. Further efforts are needed to reduce bacterial infection by gram negative and enteric bacteria in patients with both alcoholic and viral cirrhosis.