Rev Esp Quimioter 2016, 29(3):113-118

Bacteriobilia: a non-resolved problem  

                    
CARLOS ARMIÑANZAS, LUIS ANTONIO HERRERA, MARÍA CARMEN FARIÑAS             

Bile duct is usually sterile, and the isolating of microorganisms (bacteriobilia) has been related to some factors, such as age, biliary drainage before pancreatic surgery or bile duct stones. Gramnegative strains remain the most frequent pathogens, especially Escherichia coli. Among grampositives Enterococcus spp should be mentioned.
Currently, there is controversy about whether the presence of bacteriobilia has an impact on unfavorable outcome of biliary disease or surgical procedures or mortality rates, with complications such as surgical site infections or bacteremia.
In high-risk patients, such as immunosuppressed or those underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy, bile duct cultures performed routinely, even if there are not clinical data of infection, could be necessary in order to start antibiotic treatment or to reduce its spectrum.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2016; 29(3):113-118 [pdf]