Bacterial Infections in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis: Prevalence, Predictors, and in-Hospital Mortality at a District Hospital in Ghana

Abstract

Background In patients with liver cirrhosis, bacterial infections are common with high in-hospital mortality. In Ghana, bacterial infections in liver cirrhosis patients and their impact on in-patient mortality are generally unknown. This study was conducted to define the prevalence, predictors, and treatment outcomes of cirrhotic patients with bacterial infections admitted to a district hospital in Ghana. Methods Patients with liver cirrhosis hospitalized from 1st January, 2018 to 24th April, 2020 were consecutively recruited. The demographic data and clinical presentations of the patients were collected using standardized questionnaire. Full blood count, liver function test, renal function test, ascitic fluid analysis and culture, urinalysis and culture, hepatitis B surface antigen, anti-hepatitis C antibodies and abdominal ultrasound scans of the abdomen were conducted for all patients. Results There were 110 (65.09%) males out of the 169 patients with a mean age of 47.10±12.88 years. The prevalence of infections was 42.01% (71/169). Out of 71 participants with infections, 59.15% (42/72) died. Fever, encephalopathy, high white cell count, Child-Pugh Class C and Blood urea nitrogen were independent predictors of bacterial infections Conclusion Bacterial infection among the participants admitted to district hospital with liver cirrhosis was common with high in-hospital mortality.