Antibiotic Prophylaxis and Management of Bacterial Infections

  • Joseph K. Lim
  • Puneeta Tandon
  • Guadalupe Garcia-Tsao
Chapter
First Online:
Part of the Clinical Gastroenterology book series (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.

KeyWords

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis Bacterial infection Cirrhosis 
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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2011

Authors and Affiliations

  • Joseph K. Lim
    • 1
  • Puneeta Tandon
    • 2
  • Guadalupe Garcia-Tsao
    • 3
  1. 1.Yale Viral Hepatitis Program, Section of Digestive DiseasesYale University School of MedicineNew HeavenUSA
  2. 2.Division of GastroenterologyUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonCanada
  3. 3.National HCV Resource Center, Section of Digestive DiseasesYale University School of MedicineNew HavenUSA

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