Objective: To analyze the pathogenic characteristics of sepsis in patients with hepatic failure, and to explore the risk factors for sepsis in patients with liver failure.
Methods: The data of 221 patients with hepatic failure admitted to Tianjin Second People's Hospital from January 2014 to December 2018 were retrospectively collected. The patients were divided into two groups according to whether they suffered from sepsis or not. The pathogeny results of blood culture in patients with sepsis were observed. The levels of white blood cell (WBC), neutrophil (Neut), platelet (PLT), lactic acid (Lac), C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) were compared between the two groups. The risk factors for sepsis in patients with hepatic failure were analyzed by multivariate Logistic regression analysis.
Results: Among 221 patients, 27 cases had incomplete data and were excluded. Finally, 194 cases were enrolled in the analysis, including 52 in sepsis group and 142 in non-sepsis group. From 2014 to 2018, there were 11, 12, 11, 11 and 8 positive cases of sepsis in patients with liver failure. The positive rate of Gram-positive (G+) bacteria increased year by year (2, 3, 4, 5 and 4 cases of G+ bacteria from 2014 to 2018). There was no significant difference in demographic and medical history data, such as gender, age and history of diabetes mellitus between the two groups. Compared with non-sepsis group, Neut, Lac, CRP and PCT in sepsis group were significantly increased [Neut: 0.81±0.09 vs. 0.74±0.15, Lac (mmol/L): 3.04±0.61 vs. 2.00±0.43, CRP (mg/L): 44.09±8.37 vs. 40.54±8.37, PCT (μg/L): 0.34±0.12 vs. 0.31±0.11], with significant differences (all P < 0.05). But there was no statistical difference in WBC or PLT between the two groups. The multivariate Logistic regression model incorporated the indicators with statistical significance in univariate analysis. The results showed that Lac was an independent factor of sepsis in patients with hepatic failure [odds ratio (OR) = 58.286, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 16.633-204.247, P = 0.000].
Conclusions: For patients with hepatic failure infection, the ratio of G+ bacteria increased year by year. Elevated Lac is an independent risk factor for sepsis in patients with liver failure.