Sensitivity & Specificity of C-Reactive Protein in Detection of Bacterial Infection in Patients with Chronic Liver Disease

Abstract

acterial infection is common and represents major cause of Morbidity and mortality in cirrhosise specially in the decompensated phase. Patients with cirrhosis are immuno-compromised and have an increased susceptibility to develop spontaneous bacterial infections, hospital-acquired infections, and a variety of infections from uncommon pathogens. Moreover, bacterial infections have been acknowledged as a potential trigger factor in many complications of cirrhosis, including variceal bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy, renal failure and impairment in clotting factors. Early identification of bacterial infections in patients with chronic liver disease is sometimes challenging. The clinical presentation is usually vague and atypical and the value of SIRS criteria for detection of sepsis is decreased Additionally the bacterial cultures require at least 24-48 h