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. 2017 Sep;96(37):e8057.
doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000008057.

Characteristics of infection and its impact on short-term outcome in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure

Junjun Cai  1 , Mengchen Zhang, Tao Han, Hui-Qing Jiang
Affiliations

Characteristics of infection and its impact on short-term outcome in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure

Junjun Cai et al. Medicine (Baltimore). 2017 Sep.

Abstract

Bacterial infections are an important cause of mortality in liver failure. However, the type of infection, predictors of infection, and their impact on outcomes in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) are limited.A total of 389 patients with ACLF were admitted in this retrospective, corhort study. Once admitted, clinical data including first infection site, type (community-acquired, healthcare-associated, or nosocomial), and second infection occurrence during hospitalization were collected. The outcome was mortality within 90 days. Multivariable logistic regression models were preformed to predict second infection development and 90-day mortality. Survival probability curves were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method.Among 389 patients, 316 (81.2%) patients had infection. The 90-day mortality of patients with and without infection was 52.2% and 16.4%, respectively (P <.001). The most common first infection was healthcare associated (51.3%), followed by nosocomial (30.1%) and community-acquired infections (18.7%). Respiratory tract infection, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, and urinary tract infection were most prevalent. Gram-positive organism was more frequently seen than gram-negative organisms. Of note, fungi accounted for 15.9% of the total infection cases. During hospitalization, 26.6% patients developed second infections. The 90-day mortality of patients developed or did not develop a second infection were 67.9% and 46.6%, respectively (P <.001). Independent predictors of 90-day mortality in infected patients with ACLF were age, white blood cell (WBC) count, model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, hepatic encephalopathy (HE), and second infection.Infections (regardless of first or second infection) can increase the 90-day mortality significantly in patients with ACLF. And age, WBC count, MELD score, HE, and the presence of second infection are independent risk factors affecting 90-day mortality in patients with ACLF showing infection.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflict of interest to disclose.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow diagram of the study groups selection process. ACLF, acute-on-chronic liver failure.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Kaplan–Meier survival curves in patients (A) with and without infection (B) developed or did not develop a second infection during hospitalization.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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