Hepatocellular carcinoma risk in hepatitis C stage-3 fibrosis after sustained virological response with direct-acting antivirals.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Patients with chronic hepatitis C and stage 3 fibrosis are thought to remain at risk of hepatocellular carcinoma after sustained virological response. We investigated this risk in a large cohort of patients with well-defined stage 3 fibrosis. METHODS: We performed a multicentre, ambispective, observational study of chronic hepatitis C patients with sustained virological response after treatment with direct-acting antivirals started between January and December 2015. Baseline stage 3 was defined in a two-step procedure: we selected patients with transient elastography values of 9.5-14.5 kPa and subsequently excluded those with nodular liver surface, splenomegaly, ascites or collaterals on imaging, thrombopenia or esophago-gastric varices. Patients were screened twice-yearly using ultrasound. RESULTS: The final sample comprised 506 patients (median age, 57.4 years; males, 59.9%; diabetes, 17.2%; overweight, 44.1%; genotype 3, 8.9%; HIV coinfection, 18.4%; altered liver values, 15.2%). Median follow-up was 33.7 (22.1-39.1) months. Five hepatocellular carcinomas and 1 cholangiocarcinoma were detected after a median of 29.4 months (95% CI: 26.8-39.3), with an incidence of 0.47/100 patients/year (95% CI: 0.17-1.01). In the multivariate analysis, only males older than 55 years had a significant higher risk (hazard ratio 7.2 [95% CI: 1.2-41.7; P = .029]) with an incidence of 1.1/100 patients/year (95% CI: 0.3-2.8). CONCLUSIONS: In a large, well-defined cohort of patients with baseline hepatitis C stage-3 fibrosis, the incidence of primary liver tumours was low after sustained virological response and far from the threshold for cost-effectiveness of screening, except in males older than 55 years.

Hematemesis With Gastric Laceration After Tattooing a Polyp With Purified Carbon: A Review of the Literature.

Endoscopic tattooing is a simple and effective technique for marking small lesions, so they can be localized during surgery or in later endoscopies. Various agents can be used such as India ink or a solution of purified carbon particles. The number of complications from tattooing is relatively small, but not rare. The majority of the literature on the subject refers to complications in the colon. We present a case of gastric bleeding secondary to a laceration following tattooing with purified carbon, and a literature review.

Carcinoma primario de células en anillo de sello de íleon terminal / Primary signet-ring cell carcinoma of the terminal ileum

No disponible

Transarterial chemoembolisation in intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma. Survey on clinical practice in hospitals in the Madrid Region.

BACKGROUND: Transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE), having demonstrated survival benefits, is the treatmentof choice in intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma, although there is great heterogeneity in its clinical application. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A survey was sent to the Madrid Regional hospitals to assess applicability, indications and treatment protocols. The assessment was made overall and according to the type of hospital (groups A vs. B and C). RESULTS: Seventeen out of 22 hospitals responded (8/8 group A, 9/ 14 group B-C). All do/indicate transarterial chemoembolisation, 13/17 at their own facilities. Eight of the 17 hospitals have multidisciplinary groups (5/8 A, 3/9 B-C). Nine hospitals perform > 20 procedures/year (7 group A), and 6 from group B-C request/perform < 10/year. It is performed on an "on-demand" basis in 12/17. In 5 hospitals, all the procedures use drug-eluting beads loaded with doxorubicin. The average number of procedures per patient is 2. The mean time from diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma to transarterial chemoembolisation is ≤ 2 months in 16 hospitals. In 11/17 hospitals, response is assessed by computed tomography. Radiological response is measured without specific criteria in 12/17 and the other five hospitals (4 group A) assessed using standardised criteria. CONCLUSION: Uniformity among the Madrid Regional hospitals was found in the indication and treatment regimen. The use of DEB-TACE has become the preferred form of TACE in clinical practice. The differentiating factors for the more specialised hospitals are a larger volume of procedures, decision-making by multidisciplinary committees and assessment of radiological response more likely to be standardised.

Efficacy and safety of ERCP in a low-volume hospital.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: there is little scientific evidence on the outcomes of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) performed in low-volume hospitals; however, in our country, it is growing up its implementation. The objectives of our study were to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this technique performed by two endoscopists with basic training in a center of this nature and analyze the learning curve in the first procedures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: single-center retrospective study of the first 200 ERCP performed in our hospital (analyzing the evolution between the first 100 and 100 following procedures), comparing them with the quality standards proposed in the literature. RESULTS: from February 2009 to April 2011, we performed 200 ERCP in 169 patients, and the most common indications were: Choledocholithiasis (77 %), tumors (14.5 %) and other conditions (8.5 %). The cannulation rate rose from 85 % in the first 100 ERCPto 89 % in the next 100 procedures, clinical success from 81 % to 87 %, decreasing the post-ERCP acute pancreatitis rate from 11 % to 4 %, upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) from 3 % to 2 % and acute cholangitis from 4 % to 1 %. There was a death from a massive UGIB in a cirrhotic patient in the first group of patients and a case of biliary perforation resolved by surgery in the second one. CONCLUSIONS: the results obtained after performing 200 procedures support the ability to practice ERCP in low-volume hospitals obtaining levels of efficacy and safety in accordance with published quality standards.

Serum level of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and its association with severity of liver disease.

BACKGROUND: VCAM-1 (soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1) plays a role in liver angiogenesis. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has important angiogenic activity, so expression of VCAM-1 may be pathogenic. AIM: To assess the association between serum VCAM-1 (sVCAM-1) levels and features of tumour and liver disease in patients with and without HCC, and to study the influence of HCC treatment on sVCAM-1 levels. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Concentrations in peripheral (sVCAM-1-P) and hepatic (sVCAM-1-H) veins were analysed using ELISA in 134 consecutive patients with chronic liver disease between May 2004 and February 2006, who underwent a splanchnic haemodynamic study. Of these patients, 58 had HCC. RESULTS: sVCAM-1-P and sVCAM-1-H were well correlated in both groups. No association was found between sVCAM-1-H and tumour features. No differences were observed in sVCAM-1-H between HCC and non-HCC cirrhotic patients. There was a significant linear association between Child-Pugh stage and sVCAM-1-H in HCC-patients (Child-Pugh A [2,485 ± 1,294 ng/mL] vs. Child-Pugh B [3,408 ± 1,338 ng/mL] vs. Child-Pugh C [4,096 ± 862 ng/mL]; p = 0.007). Seven non-cirrhotic HCC patients had a significantly lower sVCAM-1-H than cirrhotic HCC patients. Treatment of HCC leads to an increase in sVCAM-1-H levels although this was not associated with the necrosis response to treatment. CONCLUSIONS: sVCAM-1 levels are more closely associated with the severity of underlying liver disease than with the presence of HCC. sVCAM-1 levels are not associated with tumour features or invasiveness; therefore, sVCAM-1 does not seem to play an important role in the angiogenic processes of HCC.

Efficacy and safety of entecavir and/or tenofovir in hepatitis B compensated and decompensated cirrhotic patients in clinical practice.

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of entecavir and/or tenofovir in compensated (CC) or decompensated (DC) hepatitis B cirrhotic patients in real-life clinical practice. Of the 48 patients, included between April 2007 and March 2010, 12 were DC. The mean age was 55 ± 12.2 years, 85.4% were Caucasians and 8 patients were HBeAg positive. Mean viral load was 5.2 ± 1.9 log(10) UI/mL. HBV-DNA undetectability at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months were 53.3%, 78.3%, 83.7% and 97.1%, respectively, similar in CC and DC. At 6 and 12 months, ≥ 80% of CC achieved ALT normalization, while only 42.9% and 71.4% in DC. After a median follow-up of 27.1 (0.7-45.3) months, 43 patients were Child Pugh Turcotte (CPT) class A (n = 39 at entry). In DC, progressive improvement in the MELD scores was observed: 12.73 (SD 4.5), 10.4 (SD 3.6) and 8.2 (SD 2.6), at baseline, 12 and 24 months, respectively. During follow-up, 7 patients died, 4 received liver transplantation and 5 developed hepatocellular carcinoma. In three out of four DC who died due to hepatic causes, these events occurred between the first 0.7 and 6.7 months, and all were CPT class C. Cumulative survival in CC vs. DC at 12 and 24 months were 94.4% vs. 66.7%, and 88.2% vs. 57.1%, respectively (log rank p = 0.03). No severe adverse events associated with entecavir or tenofovir were reported. In conclusion, in compensated and decompensated cirrhotic patients, entecavir and tenofovir were effective and well tolerated.

Eficacia y seguridad de la CPRE en un hospital con bajo volumen / Efficacy and safety of ERCP in a low-volume hospital

Introducción y objetivos: existe poca evidencia científica sobre los resultados de la CPRE realizada en hospitales con bajo volumen, sin embargo su puesta en marcha en nuestro medio es creciente. Los objetivos de nuestro estudio son evaluar la eficacia y seguridad de dicha técnica realizada por dos endoscopistas biliares noveles en un centro de estas características y analizar la curva de aprendizaje en los primeros procedimientos. Pacientes y métodos: estudio retrospectivo de las primeras 200 CPRE practicadas en nuestro hospital, analizando la progresión entre los 100 primeros procedimientos y los 100 segundos, comparándolos con los estándares de calidad propuestos en la literatura. Resultados: desde febrero de 2009 hasta abril de 2011 se realizaron 200 procedimientos a 169 pacientes con las siguientes indicaciones: coledocolitiasis (77 %), neoplasias (14,5 %) y otras patologías (8,5 %). La tasa de canulación ascendió del 85 % en las 100 primeras CPRE al 89 % en las siguientes, el éxito clínico del 81 % al 87 %, disminuyendo la tasa de pancreatitis aguda post-CPRE del 11 al 4 %, la de hemorragia digestiva alta del 3 al 2 % y la de colangitis aguda del 4 al 1 %. Hubo un éxitus secundario a una hemorragia digestiva alta en una paciente cirrótica en el primer grupo y un caso de perforación biliar resuelto mediante cirugía en el segundo. Conclusiones: los resultados obtenidos tras la realización de 200 procedimientos apoyan la posibilidad de practicar CPRE en hospitales con bajo volumen consiguiendo niveles de eficacia y seguridad acorde con los estándares de calidad publicados(AU)

Background and aims: there is little scientific evidence on the outcomes of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) performed in low-volume hospitals; however, in our country, it is growing up its implementation. The objectives of our study were to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this technique performed by two endoscopists with basic training in a center of this nature and analyze the learning curve in the first procedures. Patients and methods: single-center retrospective study of the first 200 ERCP performed in our hospital (analyzing the evolution between the first 100 and 100 following procedures), comparing them with the quality standards proposed in the literature. Results: from February 2009 to April 2011, we performed 200 ERCP in 169 patients, and the most common indications were: Choledocholithiasis (77 %), tumors (14.5 %) and other conditions (8.5 %). The cannulation rate rose from 85 % in the first 100 ERCP to 89 % in the next 100 procedures, clinical success from 81 % to 87 %, decreasing the post-ERCP acute pancreatitis rate from 11 % to 4 %, upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) from 3 % to 2 % and acute cholangitis from 4 % to 1 %. There was a death from a massive UGIB in a cirrhotic patient in the first group of patients and a case of biliary perforation resolved by surgery in the second one. Conclusions: the results obtained after performing 200 procedures support the ability to practice ERCP in low-volume hospitals obtaining levels of efficacy and safety in accordance with published quality standards(AU)

Serum angiopoietin-2 level as a predictor of tumor invasiveness in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Because hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has important angiogenic activity, the expression of angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) may have a pathogenic role. The information about the influence of serum Ang-2 (sAng-2) in patients with HCC is scarce. AIMS: The aim was to assess the association between sAng-2 levels and characteristics of tumor and liver disease in patients with HCC. METHODS: sAng-2 concentrations in peripheral (sAng-2-P) and hepatic (sAng-2-H) veins were analyzed by ELISA in 33 patients with chronic liver disease who underwent a splanchnic hemodynamic study. Thirty-two patients received treatment for HCC. RESULTS: The median age was 61 years and 79% were male. Hepatitis C infection (70%) was the main etiology. Most patients were Child-Pugh grade A (72.7%). sAng-2-P and sAng-2-H were well correlated (r = 0.95; p < 0.0001). A significant association was found between sAng-2-H and lobar tumor extension, vascular thrombosis, BCLC staging, infiltrating pattern, abnormal alpha-fetoprotein level, fulfillment of the Milan criteria, and performance of nonsystemic treatment. sAng-2-H also showed a significant correlation with the MELD score (r = 0.49; p = 0.007), albumin (r = -0.63; p < 0.001), and HVPG (r = 0.44; p = 0.02). Eleven patients received treatment with radiofrequency ablation and eight with transarterial chemoembolization. HCC treatment did not influence the sAng-2 concentration while the necrosis response to treatment was not influenced by previous sAng-2 levels. CONCLUSIONS: Ang-2 seems to play an important role in the angiogenic processes of HCC and its serum levels are associated with tumor characteristics and invasive behavior. Our results suggest that Ang-2 is not related with treatment response and its level is not modified by treatment.

Tumor esofágico de células granulares: descripción de un tumor benigno poco frecuente / Granular cell tumor of the esophagus: description of an infrequent benign tumor

ResumenEl tumor de células granulares (TCG) es un tumor infrecuente descrito en 1926 por Abrikossoff. El 6% de estos tumores se encuentran en el tracto gastrointestinal siendo el esófago el lugar de mayor incidencia. El comportamiento suele ser benigno por lo que la mayoría de los TCG esofágicos son asintomáticos descubriéndose de forma casual en la realización de una gastroscopia. En el examen endoscópico aparece como una lesión polipoide o sésil, de aspecto submucoso, bien delimitada, recubierta de mucosa normal de color amarillento y con un aumento de su consistencia. La ecoendoscopia ha mejorado notablemente la evaluación de estas lesiones siendo actualmente la mucosectomía endoscópica el tratamiento de elección con una baja tasa de complicaciones. El estudio histológico de la pieza de resección evidencia características propias como la positividad para la proteína S-100. Presentamos 2 nuevos casos de TCG en esófago recientemente diagnosticados y se comentan los aspectos más relevantes de esta infrecuente enfermedad (AU)

Granular cell tumors (GCT) are infrequent tumors first described by Abrikossoff in 1926. Gastrointestinal involvement occurs in about 6% of GCT, the esophagus being the most frequent location. These tumors are usually benign and asymptomatic and are usually found incidentally when an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is carried out for another reason, showing an isolated polyp or sessile submucosal nodule, covered by intact yellowish mucosa and with firm consistency. Endoscopic ultrasonography has significantly improved the diagnosis of these lesions. Nowadays endoscopic mucosectomy is the treatment of choice of esophageal GCT with a low frequency of complications. Histologic analysis of the surgical specimen shows specific characteristics such as positivity for S-100 protein. We present two new cases of esophageal GCT that were diagnosed recently and discuss the most relevant features of this infrequent disease (AU)

[Granular cell tumor of the esophagus: description of an infrequent benign tumor]. / Tumor esofágico de células granulares: descripción de un tumor benigno poco frecuente.

Granular cell tumors (GCT) are infrequent tumors first described by Abrikossoff in 1926. Gastrointestinal involvement occurs in about 6% of GCT, the esophagus being the most frequent location. These tumors are usually benign and asymptomatic and are usually found incidentally when an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is carried out for another reason, showing an isolated polyp or sessile submucosal nodule, covered by intact yellowish mucosa and with firm consistency. Endoscopic ultrasonography has significantly improved the diagnosis of these lesions. Nowadays endoscopic mucosectomy is the treatment of choice of esophageal GCT with a low frequency of complications. Histologic analysis of the surgical specimen shows specific characteristics such as positivity for S-100 protein. We present two new cases of esophageal GCT that were diagnosed recently and discuss the most relevant features of this infrequent disease.

Optimización del cultivo de líquido ascítico en el contexto clínico de la peritonitis bacteriana espontánea / Optimization of ascitic fluid culture in spontaneous bacterial peritonitis

Introducción y objetivosLa peritonitis bacteriana espontánea (PBE) es la infección del líquido ascítico (LA) en ausencia de foco infeccioso intraperitoneal en pacientes con enfermedad hepática e hipertensión portal. El objetivo del estudio fue la evaluación de la rentabilidad de los cultivos microbiológicos tras la optimización de la sistemática en su recogida en la práctica clínica habitual.MétodosSe analizaron 2 series, la primera retrospectiva con datos de 156 episodios de PBE consecutivos de enero de 2003 a diciembre de 2005 (grupo R), y la segunda con un grupo prospectivo desde octubre de 2007 a octubre de 2008, constituido por 79 episodios, en los que se optimizó el protocolo diagnóstico de PBE (grupo P), con la recogida sistemática de 10ml de LA por bote de hemocultivo.ResultadosLas características basales epidemiológicas y clínicas entre los episodios fueron similares, salvo mayor incidencia de insuficiencia renal, ascitis a tensión e íleo adinámico, y en la etiología de la hepatopatía, más frecuente de origen etílico, en el grupo P. Se consiguió aislamiento microbiológico en LA en el 12,2% de los episodios del grupo R, frente al 53,2% del grupo P (p=0,001) y en hemocultivos en el 8,5 y 26,6% (p=0,001), respectivamente. Se obtuvo aislamiento microbiológico en el 65,8% de los episodios del grupo P frente al 19,2% del grupo R (OR 8; IC 95%: 4,4-14,9; p=0,001). El microorganismo más frecuentemente aislado en la en el grupo P fue Escherichia coli (42,9%).ConclusionesLa optimización en la realización de la sistemática diagnóstica en la práctica asistencial del paciente cirrótico con ascitis aumenta su rendimiento microbiológico diagnóstico (AU)

Introduction and aimsSpontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is ascitic fluid (AF) infection in the absence of an intraperitoneal source of infection in patients with liver disease and portal hypertension. The aim of this study was to evaluate the yield of microbiological cultures to optimize their collection and systematic implementation in routine clinical practice.MethodsWe analyzed two cohorts: the first consisted of retrospective data from the clinical records of 156 consecutive episodes of SBP from January 2003 to December 2005 (group R), and the second was composed of data collected prospectively from October 2007 to October 2008, consisting of 79 episodes (group P), with systematic inoculation of 10 cc of AF in each blood culture bottle.ResultsNo significant differences were demonstrated in baseline epidemiological or clinical characteristics among episodes, except the more frequent presence of alcoholic liver disease and the incidence of tense ascites, paralytic ileus and kidney failure at diagnosis in group P. Microbiological isolation in AF was achieved in 12.2% of the episodes in group R compared with 53.2% in group P (p=0.001) and 8.5 and 26.6% (p=0.001) in blood culture, respectively. Microbiological isolation was achieved in 65.8% of episodes in group P versus 19.2% in group R (OR 8; 95% CI: 4.4-14.9; p=0.001). The most frequently isolated organism in AF in group P was Escherichia coli (42.9%).ConclusionsOptimizing the diagnostic procedure in cirrhotic patients with ascites significantly increases diagnostic microbiologic performance(AU)

Estudio descriptivo de la experiencia sobre carcinoma hepatocelular en hígado no cirrótico / Descriptive study of hepatocellular carcinoma in noncirrhotic liver

Introducción y objetivoEl carcinoma hepatocelular (CHC) es la sexta causa de cáncer. En el mundo occidental su incidencia está en aumento y la gran mayoría asientan sobre una cirrosis hepática. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar las características del CHC en pacientes sin cirrosis.MétodosSe realizó una revisión retrospectiva de 469 pacientes con diagnóstico de CHC durante el periodo de enero de 2003 a diciembre de 2007. Se seleccionaron aquellos pacientes que cumplían criterios histológicos, o la conjunción de criterios clínicos, analíticos, radiológicos y/o de hemodinámica hepática, de ausencia de cirrosis hepática.ResultadosSe identificaron 29 pacientes con diagnóstico de CHC sobre hígado no cirrótico (6,2%). El 86,2% eran varones y con una mediana de edad de 61,6 (23 - 82) años. La enfermedad hepática fue hepatopatía crónica con fibrosis leve-moderada en el 68,9%. El 62,1% de los pacientes se encontraban asintomáticos al diagnóstico. El CHC era un nódulo único en el 86,2%, y la mediana del nódulo mayor fue 46 (20 - 150) mm. Se evidenció invasión vascular macroscópica en dos pacientes y metástasis óseas en otros dos. Se realizó tratamiento activo en 25 pacientes: 15 resección quirúrgica, 6 radiofrecuencia y 4 quimioembolización transarterial. La supervivencia acumulada a 1, 2 y 3 años, fue del 84,3; 67,2 y 50,1%, respectivamente.ConclusionesEl CHC sobre hígado no cirrótico es una patología poco frecuente, siendo tumores de gran tamaño al diagnóstico. A pesar de ello, se pueden aplicar tratamientos con intención curativa y alcanzar una supervivencia superior a la esperable en pacientes con cirrosis(AU)

Introduction and objectiveHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth leading cause of cancer. In western countries its impact is steadily growing and most of these tumors arise in cirrhotic liver. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and characteristics of HCC developing in noncirrhotic patients. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 469 patients diagnosed with HCC between January 2003 and December 2007. Patients who met the histological criteria, or a combination of clinical, laboratory, imaging and hemodynamic criteria for the absence of cirrhosis were included.ResultsWe identified 29 patients with a diagnosis of HCC in non-cirrhotic liver (6.2%). Most (86.2%) were men and the median age was 61.6 (23 - 82) years. The most frequent histology of the liver was mild-moderate liver fibrosis (68.9%) and 62.1% of the patients were asymptomatic at diagnosis. HCC was a solitary nodule in 86.2%, and the median size of the main nodule was 46 (20 - 150) mm. Macroscopic vascular invasion was demonstrated in two patients and bone metastases in a further two patients. Active treatment was provided in 25 patients, consisting of tumoral resection in 15, radiofrequency ablation in six and transarterial chemoembolization in four. The overall cumulative survival at 1, 2 and 3years was 84.3%, 67.2% and 50.1%, respectively.ConclusionHCC arising in non-cirrhotic liver is uncommon and there is wide tumor extension at diagnosis. Nevertheless, in most patients, treatment with curative intent can be applied, achieving better survival than that expected patients with cirrhosis(AU)

[Descriptive study of hepatocellular carcinoma in noncirrhotic liver]. / Estudio descriptivo de la experiencia sobre carcinoma hepatocelular en hígado no cirrótico.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth leading cause of cancer. In western countries its impact is steadily growing and most of these tumors arise in cirrhotic liver. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and characteristics of HCC developing in noncirrhotic patients. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of 469 patients diagnosed with HCC between January 2003 and December 2007. Patients who met the histological criteria, or a combination of clinical, laboratory, imaging and hemodynamic criteria for the absence of cirrhosis were included. RESULTS: We identified 29 patients with a diagnosis of HCC in non-cirrhotic liver (6.2%). Most (86.2%) were men and the median age was 61.6 (23 - 82) years. The most frequent histology of the liver was mild-moderate liver fibrosis (68.9%) and 62.1% of the patients were asymptomatic at diagnosis. HCC was a solitary nodule in 86.2%, and the median size of the main nodule was 46 (20 - 150) mm. Macroscopic vascular invasion was demonstrated in two patients and bone metastases in a further two patients. Active treatment was provided in 25 patients, consisting of tumoral resection in 15, radiofrequency ablation in six and transarterial chemoembolization in four. The overall cumulative survival at 1, 2 and 3 years was 84.3%, 67.2% and 50.1%, respectively. CONCLUSION: HCC arising in non-cirrhotic liver is uncommon and there is wide tumor extension at diagnosis. Nevertheless, in most patients, treatment with curative intent can be applied, achieving better survival than that expected patients with cirrhosis.

[Optimization of ascitic fluid culture in spontaneous bacterial peritonitis]. / Optimización del cultivo de líquido ascítico en el contexto clínico de la peritonitis bacteriana espontánea.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is ascitic fluid (AF) infection in the absence of an intraperitoneal source of infection in patients with liver disease and portal hypertension. The aim of this study was to evaluate the yield of microbiological cultures to optimize their collection and systematic implementation in routine clinical practice. METHODS: We analyzed two cohorts: the first consisted of retrospective data from the clinical records of 156 consecutive episodes of SBP from January 2003 to December 2005 (group R), and the second was composed of data collected prospectively from October 2007 to October 2008, consisting of 79 episodes (group P), with systematic inoculation of 10 cc of AF in each blood culture bottle. RESULTS: No significant differences were demonstrated in baseline epidemiological or clinical characteristics among episodes, except the more frequent presence of alcoholic liver disease and the incidence of tense ascites, paralytic ileus and kidney failure at diagnosis in group P. Microbiological isolation in AF was achieved in 12.2% of the episodes in group R compared with 53.2% in group P (p = 0.001) and 8.5 and 26.6% (p = 0.001) in blood culture, respectively. Microbiological isolation was achieved in 65.8% of episodes in group P versus 19.2% in group R (OR 8; 95% CI: 4.4-14.9; p = 0.001). The most frequently isolated organism in AF in group P was Escherichia coli (42.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Optimizing the diagnostic procedure in cirrhotic patients with ascites significantly increases diagnostic microbiologic performance.