Bacterial Infections in Cirrhosis as a Cause or Consequence of Decompensation?

Bacterial infections are ominous events in liver cirrhosis. Cirrhosis-associated immune dysfunction and pathologic bacterial translocation are responsible for the increased risk of infections. Bacteria induce systemic inflammation, which worsens circulatory dysfunction and induces oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Bacterial infections, frequently associated with decompensation, are the most common precipitating event of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). After decompensation, patients with cirrhosis have an increased risk of developing infections. Bacterial infections should be ruled out in these patients and strategies to prevent infections should be implemented to prevent further decompensation. We review infections as a cause and consequence of decompensation in cirrhosis.