Abstract

CARROLA, Paulo; MILITAO, Isabel  and  PRESA, José. Bacterial infections in patients with liver cirrhosis. J Port Gastrenterol. [online]. 2013, vol.20, n.2, pp.58-65. ISSN 0872-8178.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpg.2012.09.008.

Bacterial infections are a frequent complication on hepatic cirrhosis, particularly in hospitalized patients. In this article we review the prevalence, risk factors and pathogenesis of bacterial infections in cirrhotic patients, focusing on the mechanisms of bacterial translocation. The most common bacterial infections in cirrhotic patients are the commonly called ‘‘spontaneous’’ infections, namely spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, spontaneous bacterial pleural empyema and spontaneous bacteraemia. At the end of this article we make a brief reference to the prevention strategies for infection in cirrhosis, namely prophylaxis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and prevention of specific viral or bacterial infections through vaccination.

Keywords : Infection; Liver cirrhosis; Bacterial translocation.

        · abstract in Portuguese     · text in Portuguese     · Portuguese ( pdf )