Epidemiology and prognostic determinants of bacteraemic biliary tract infection

Results: The mean age of patients with biliary sepsis was 71 years (+14 years). The most frequent comorbidities were biliary lithiasis and solid-organ cancer [484 cases (35%) and 362 cases (26%), respectively]. The BTI was healthcare-associated in 33% of patients. Shock and mortality accounted for 209 and 126 cases, respectively (15% and 9%). The most frequent microorganisms isolated were Escherichia coli (749, 55%), Klebsiella spp. (240, 17%), Enterococcus spp. (171, 12%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (86, 6%) and Enterobacter spp. (63, 5%). There were 47 (3%) cefotaxime-resistant (CTX-R) E. coli or Klebsiella spp. Inappropriate empirical antibiotic treatment was an independent factor associated with mortality (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1‐1.7). Inappropriate empirical treatment was more frequent in P. aeruginosa and CTX-R Enterobacteriaceae bacteraemia. These microorganisms were significantly more common in patients with previous antibiotic therapy, solid-organ cancer or transplantation and in healthcare-associated bacteraemia. Conclusions: In patients with bacteraemic BTI, inappropriate empirical therapy was more frequent inP. aeruginosa and CTX-R Enterobacteriaceae infection and was associated with a higher mortality rate. In patients with bacteraemia due to BTI and solid-organ cancer or transplantation, healthcare-associated infection or previous antibiotic treatment, initial therapy with piperacillin/tazobactam or a carbapenem would be advisable.