Diagnosis and treatment of bacterial infection in patients with end-stage liver disease

Abstract

Patients with end-stage liver disease have an increased risk of developing bacterial infections, resulting in an increase in the number of hospitalizations and medical expenses, a decline in the quality of life of patients, and an increased fatality rate. Bacterial infections in patients with end-stage liver disease is mainly due to the falling off the body's immune response causing respiratory infections, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, urinary tract infections and gastrointestinal infections. The diagnosis of bacterial infection is more challenging because the occurrence of infection shows no typical symptoms and signs. The examination of some biological markers has important clinical significance for early diagnosis. The clinical prognosis is entirely marked on the patient conditions, the effective control of infection, appropriate broad-spectrum antibiotics, and empiric therapy. Antibiotics are the choice, but also need to be alert against drug-induced liver damage.