BACTERIURIA IN PATIENTS WITH CIRRHOSIS

The prevalence and bacteriology of bacteriuria was studied in 140 patients with cirrhosis of the liver, referred to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center for evaluation for liver transplantation (72 males and 68 females, mean age 46 years). Urine samples were obtained for cultures within 24 h after admission. Significant bacteriuria (SB) (>10(5) bacteria/ml) was present in 25 patients (18%), the most common being E. coli (36%) and coagulase-negative staphylococcus (20%). SB was more common in females than in males (32 vs. 4%, p<0.001), and was seen in every category of cirrhosis. The occurrence of bacteriuria did not correlate with the severity of the underlying liver disease or with the age of the patient. Based upon these results, it can be concluded that: (1) bacteriuria is common in patients with advanced liver disease and occurs in approximately 20% of the cases; (2) it is more common in females than in males; and (3) its prevalence in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis is similar to that in other types of chronic advanced liver disease.