Background: This study was conducted to evaluate the risk factors for infection and clinical outcomes of bacteremic spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) due to ESBL-producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae, in patients with advanced liver cirrhosis.
Methods: The ESBL production was determined by NCCLS guidelines and/or double-disk synergy tests, on stored E. coil and K. pneumoniae blood isolates collected between 1998 and 2002. Of the patients with advanced liver cirrhosis, 15 case patients, with SBP due to ESBL-producers, were compared with 30 matched controls, with SBP due to non-ESBL-producers.
Results: There were no significant differences in age, sex, Child-Pugh scores, or APACHE II scores between the two groups. Significant factors associated with infection by ESBL-producing organisms, according to univariate analysis, were: ICU care, indwelling urinary catheter, central venous catheterization, an invasive procedure within the previous 72 hours, and prior use of antibiotics within the previous 30 days. When assessing the clinical response at 72 hours after the initial antimicrobial therapy, the treatment failure rate was significantly higher in the ESBL group (73.3% vs. 16.7%, p<0.001). Also, overall 30-day mortality rates were 60% (9/15) in the ESBL groups and 23.3% (7/30) in the control group (p=0.015).
Conclusion: Among patients with advanced liver cirrhosis, bacteremic SBP due to ESBL-producing E. coil and K. pneumoniae was associated with adverse outcomes, and significantly higher mortality.