INFECTIONS IN PATIENTS WITH CIRRHOSIS AND LIVER TRANSPLANTATION

Altered immune response is a feature of both liver cirrhosis and liver transplantation. Both populations are at an increased risk of bacterial infections, often with atypical clinical presentation. Classic features of the inflammatory response are often absent or altered. In advanced liver disease, bacterial infections are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality, and the risk of fatal outcome due to sepsis is twice as high as in the general population. Patient survival after liver transplantation continues to improve owing to enhanced surgical techniques and development of modern immunosuppressive protocols. A broad spectrum of often atypical bacterial infections are emerging as important posttransplantation complications. Timely diagnosis and therapeutic intervention is necessary for favorable outcome.