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Chronic Liver Failure pp 395–410Cite as

Antibiotic Prophylaxis and Management of Bacterial Infections

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Part of the book series: Clinical Gastroenterology ((CG))

Abstract

Bacterial infections are an important complication of hospitalized patients with cirrhosis and constitute the most common precipitants of acute decompensation in cirrhosis, specifically recurrent variceal hemorrhage, acute kidney injury, and liver failure (encephalopathy and/or jaundice). In this chapter, we review the most common types of bacterial infections in cirrhosis, the risk factors for their development, and the impact of antibiotic prophylaxis. We also review the clinical features and management of the most common infection in cirrhosis, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP), specifically the evidence behind the therapy of acute SBP, the role of albumin, and the role of antibiotics in the prophylaxis of high-risk patients. Lastly, we briefly discuss other “nonspontaneous” bacterial infections in cirrhosis.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Yale Viral Hepatitis Program, Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Heaven, CT, USA

    Joseph K. Lim MD

  2. Division of Gastroenterology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

    Puneeta Tandon MD

  3. National HCV Resource Center, Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA

    Guadalupe Garcia-Tsao MD

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  1. Joseph K. Lim MD
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  2. Puneeta Tandon MD
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  3. Guadalupe Garcia-Tsao MD
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Villarroel 170, Barcelona, 08036, Spain

    Pere Ginès

  2. College of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatol, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St. S.W, Rochester, 55905, Minnesota, USA

    Patrick S. Kamath

  3. Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, 08036, Spain

    Vicente Arroyo

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Lim, J.K., Tandon, P., Garcia-Tsao, G. (2011). Antibiotic Prophylaxis and Management of Bacterial Infections. In: Ginès, P., Kamath, P., Arroyo, V. (eds) Chronic Liver Failure. Clinical Gastroenterology. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-866-9_20

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-866-9_20

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