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G363(P) Infectious complications in biliary atresia; a single centre experience
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  1. V Jain1,
  2. O Kaltsogianni1,
  3. S Bansal1,
  4. M Davenport1,
  5. A Dhawan1,
  6. A Verma2
  1. 1Paediatric Hepatology, Gastroenterology and Nutrition Centre, Kings College Hospital, London, UK
  2. 2Institute of Liver Disease, Kings College Hospital, London, UK

Abstract

Objectives To evaluate incidence and timing of cholangitis and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in Biliary Atresia (BA), after Kasai Porto-enterostomy (KP), prior to liver transplantation (LT).

Methods A single-centre retrospective analysis, comprising 78 patients (36M:42F) who underwent KP between 2008–2010.

Results Cholangitis followed in 38/78 (48%) patients; median number of episodes 2 (range: 1, 5). Median age for first episode was 5.6 months (2, 72.5). Six patients showed dilated biliary radicles on ultrasound. Organisms were isolated from blood cultures in six patients; E-coli (n = 2), Staphylococcus Aureus, Klebsiella, Streptococcus Pneumonia and Pseudomonas. 27/38 (71%) cholangitic patients underwent LT, 10 are alive with their native liver and one died. Ascites developed in 29/78 (37%) patients, at median age 6.5 months (3.1, 66). Ascitic taps were performed in 41% (12/29), due to respiratory distress with fever (5/12) or without fever (7/12) at median age 7.4 months (3.2, 22.8). 16/17 patients that did not have ascitic taps underwent LT at a median age 17.2 months (7.4, 79.7) and one died whilst listed for LT. Timing of tap was at the onset of ascites in six patients and at a median time of 2 months (0.1, 4.6) from onset of ascites in the remaining six patients. Four patients fulfilled criteria for SBP diagnosis; 3 culture-negative (wcc >250 mm3), one bacteri-ascites (wcc <250 mm3; gram-positive cocci, gram-negative rods). No culture-positive SBP was identified. One culture-negative SBP revealed Streptococcus Pneumoniae in blood cultures. Five patients that underwent ascitic taps previously had cholangitis. Antibiotics were already commenced in 8/12 patients pre-tap. Raised plasma wcc (>17 mm3) was identified in SBP (3/4) and non-SBP (3/8) patients. All SBP patients underwent LT at a median age 10.5 months (7.1, 16.1). Non-SBP patients underwent LT (n = 4), are alive with native liver (n = 1) or died (n = 3; all listed for LT).

Conclusion Cholangitis and SBP occurred in 48% and 5% of BA patients respectively; cholangitis episodes presented earlier. Few cases revealed positive bacterial cultures. Definition of paediatric SBP needs to account for pre-culture antibiotic use. New molecular techniques should be sought to aid diagnosis. LT is a successful outcome for cholangitis, SBP and non-SBP ascites.

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