Infection in patients with hepatic coma
Gassner, A.; Kleinberger, G.; Pichler, M.; Lenz, K.; Graninger, W.
Leber Magen Darm 11(1): 21-24
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-8622 PMID: 7012497 Document Number: 174147
66 patients with hepatic coma were treated from 1972 to 1979 in the intensive care unit. Incidence and etiology of bacterial infections in these patients were evaluated retrospectively. Bacterial cultures were positive in a high proportion of the cases investigated as compared to the situation on a normal ward. Bacterial cultures were performed in 51 patients (77.3%); cultures from 35 patients were positive. Gramnegative bacteria accounted for 56.4%, grampositive bacteria for 34.8% and candida albicans for 8.8% of all the cases. It is pointed out, that invasive diagnostic and therapeutic manoeuvers in intensive care patients carry a high risk of infection.