Pulmonary Bacterial Infection and Liver Cirrhosis: Current Status and Treatment

Abstract

Liver cirrhosis has a higher incidence rate and mortality when complicated with bacterial infections. Concomitant bacterial infections, especially bacterial pneumonia, increase the susceptibility of cirrhotic patients to decompensation, with a higher likelihood of mortality. Bacterial pneumonia is often overlooked in patients with liver cirrhosis although it can impact the clinical progress and outcomes. Untimely diagnosis and inappropriate antibiotic treatments are associated with poor prognosis and increased mortality. Current understanding of mechanisms and appropriate antibiotic treatments for cirrhosis-related bacterial pneumonia remain inadequate. Herein, we reviewed the epidemiology, clinical characteristics and treatment of pulmonary bacterial infections in cirrhotic patients to provide suggestions for clinical practice.