Hyperbilirubinemia associated with sepsis in the elderly

Abstract

In order to elucidate the frequency of hyperbilirubinemia associated with sepsis in the elderly, as well as in clinical and histological characteristics, a total of 117 autopsy cases with sepsis were analyzed retrospectively. Based on the clinico-pathological findings, 48 cases with primary hepato-biliary, cardiac, hematological and shock complications, were excluded because these disorders were thought to affect liver function tests. Four cases out of the remaining 69 cases, 5.8% of the total, showed hyperbilirubinemia above 2 mg/dl (average 4.1 mg/dl), which was thought to be associated with sepsis itself. In these 4 cases, disproportionately high levels of blood total bilirubin were characteristic compared to changes of GOT, GPT, LDH, ALP and gamma-GTP levels. Blood culture of these 4 cases revealed Gram-negative organisms in 3 cases and Gram-positive in 1 case. Histological findings of the liver included cholestasis, Kupffer cell hyperplasia and cell infiltration in the sinusoid and portal areas, however these findings were mild and nonspecific. It is important to recognize the presence of hyperbilirubinemia associated with sepsis in order to properly treat febrile elderly patients with hyperbilirubinemia.