UPDATES IN ANTIBIOTIC THERAPY OF BILIARY TRACT INFECTIONS

Abstract

Introduction. The management of biliary tract infections involves systemic antibiotherapy and a biliary drain-age procedure. Current guidelines provide recommendations for empirical antimicrobial therapy in cholangi-tis but development of multi-drug resistant organisms can make many of these antibiotics ineffective. This study aimed to analyze the microbiology of bile and the susceptibility profiles of organisms identified in patients with extrahepatic cholestatis, with or without a previously placed biliary stent. Materials and methods. We conducted a prospective study including 136 patients with biliary obstruction who were endoscopically drained between June 2014 and March 2015 in Emergency Hospital “Floreasca”, Bucharest. One hundred and four of these patients had no biliary stent in situ (group 1). Thirty-two proce-dures were performed in patients with at least one biliary stent in place (group 2). Microbiological examination of bile aspirates was performed and antibiotic susceptibilities were determined for the isolated bacteria. Results. One hundred eighteen of 136 analyzed cultures were positive (81% in group 1 vs. 100% in group 2; p<0.05). In both groups, the most frequent pathogens were Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp. and Proteus spp. The most effective antimicrobial agents against Gram-negative bacteria in group 1 and group 2 were imipe-nem, cefoperazone/sulbactam and piperacillin/tazobactam. Susceptibilities to ceftazidime, cefotaxime, ce-fepime and fluoroquinolones were significantly lower in group 2. Conclusion. This survey shows that Gram-negative bacteria are the predominant bile pathogens found in patients with cholestatis. Cefoperazone/sulbactam, piperacillin/tazobactam or imipenem can be recommend-ed in biliary infections. Cephalosporins and fluroquinolones should not be used as empirical therapy if a biliary stent is in place.