PREVALENCE AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH BACTERIAL INFECTION IN CIRRHOTIC PATIENTS IN TOGO.

OBJECTIVES

to determine the prevalence and identify the factors associated with bacterial infection in cirrhotic patients in Togo.

METHODS

This was a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study, with retrospective data collection, conducted in the hepato-gastroenterology department of the Campus University Hospital during three years. All patients hospitalized in the department during this period and diagnosed with cirrhosis were included in the study.

RESULTS

During the study period, 270 patients were hospitalized for cirrhosis including 63 cases of bacterial infection, a prevalence of 23.3%. Bacterial infections were represented by spontaneous infection of ascites fluid (15.9%) followed by urinary tract infection (4%). The median length of hospital stay was 10 days Thirty-six of the patients with infection died in hospital, corresponding to a mortality rate of 57.1%. Factors associated with bacterial infection were ascites (P=0.017; OR=4.56), hepatic encephalopathy (P=0.02; OR=4.32), a prothrombin level below 25% (P=0.002; OR=9.67) and a high MELD score (P=0.03; OR=0.93).

CONCLUSION

Bacterial infection occurs in advanced cirrhosis and is associated with a poor prognosis.

BACKGROUND

• Bacterial infections are a frequent complication of cirrhosis and were associated with ascites, hepatic encephalopathy and a high MELD score.

BACKGROUND

• The most frequent type of infection in this study was spontaneous bacterial peritonitis followed by urinary tract infection.