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Infectious complications of liver disease

  • Clinical Reviews
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Conclusions

Most internists frequently see cirrhotic patients whose general conditions have deteriorated. In this setting, infection is a common precipitating factor. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is common and may be fatal if not detected and managed early. The common problem of GI hemorrhage in persons with portal hypertension is frequently complicated by infection. Less common situations such as FHF or hepatic iron-overload states present special risks for infection. This increased risk of infection is due largely to reduced mononuclear phagocyte function and depressed opsonic activity of serum and ascites. Consistent with this idea, persons with chronic cholestatic liver diseases have a relative preservation of hepatocellular and phagocyte mass and have fewer infections than do those with hepatic parenchymal disease. While patients with acute hepatitis rarely have infectious complications, progression to FHF results in significant risk for serious infections. Clinicians should be aware of the infectious complications that arise in the treatment of patients with liver disease.

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  1. MA421 Health Sciences Center, University of Missouri Hospital, 65212, Columbia, MO

    Paul D. King MD

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  1. Paul D. King MD
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Received from the Department of Medicine, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, Missouri.

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King, P.D. Infectious complications of liver disease. J Gen Intern Med 8, 327–332 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02600149

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