Urinary tract infection and cirrhosis

Cirrhosis leads to impaired acquired and innate immunity, in conjunction with liver failure on the one hand, and malnutrition on the other. Consequently, this hepatopathy predisposes patients to the development of infections, mainly bacterial, but also viral and fungal. Indeed, the incidence of bacterial infections in cirrhotic patients is higher than in the general population. These infections are serious, and can be life-threatening. They must be detected and treated early. Urinary tract infection is a preferred site, with the germs incriminated varying according to therapeutic habits. These infections are a frequent complication during the course of the disease, and are generally not very symptomatic, which is why all decompensated cirrhotic patients should be systematically screened by urinary cytobacteriological examination. Indeed, following an infectious episode, cirrhotic patients have a high risk of decompensating their cirrhosis, in addition to the risk of developing complications such as acute renal failure.

Autorentext

Dr Héla KCHIR: Associate Professor of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Gastroenterology B Department, La Rabta Hospital, Tunis.