INVESTIGATION OF BACTEREMIA IN PATIENTS WITH CHOLANGITIS CAUSED BY COMMON BILE DUCT STONES

Abstract

We retrospectively examined the incidence of bacteremia in patients with cholangitis caused by common bile duct stones who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography at our hospital. We found bacteremia concomitant with cholangitis in 85 (35.2%) of the 241 patients. The incidence of bacteremia increased with the severity of cholangitis and reached as high as 65% among severe cholangitis cases. Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing bacteria, which are a type of resistant bacteria and a cause of bacteremia, were also observed in three critical patients. Such patients would need to undergo prompt biliary drainage along with potent antibacterial therapy.