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 Original Articles |
| Influence of Liver Dysfunction on the Production of C-Reactive Protein
in Liver Cirrhosis Patients with Escherichia coli Bacteremia |
| Wan Beom Park, M.D., Cheol-In Kang, M.D., Dong Min Kim, M.D., Ki-Deok Lee, M.D., Hee Chang Jang, M.D.
Hong Bin Kim, M.D., Myoung-don Oh, M.D., Hyo-Suk Lee, M.D., and Kang Won Choe, M.D. |
| Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea |
Vol.35 Num.5 (p283~288)
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Background:C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase reactant produced in the liver. To assess the influence of liver dysfunction on the production of CRP, we evaluated CRP response to E. coli bacteremia in patients with or without liver cirrhosis (LC).
Methods:30 LC patients who developed spontaneous peritonitis with E. coli bacteremia were enrolled in the study. Baseline values of total bilirubin, serum albumin, and prothrombin time were obtained within 2 months prior to infection. Liver dysfunction was categorized according to the Child-Pugh score. 30 patients with E. coli bacteremia who had no underlying liver dysfunction were included as a control group. Matched-control of 30 LC patients without evidence of acute infection was also included. The peak CRP values were compared among the groups.
Results:In the patients with E. coli bacteremia, the mean value of peak CRP was 7.3 (+/- 5.0) mg/dL in LC patients, 17.9 (+/- 8.3) mg/dL in patients without liver dysfunction (p<0.001). In the advanced LC patients with Child-Pugh class C, the level of CRP was 5.2 (+/- 3.3) mg/dL in patients with E. coli bacteremia, 0.5 (+/- 0.4) mg/dL in patients without acute infection (P<0.001). Child-Pugh score had correlation with decrease of CRP (linear regression test, P=0.004).
Conclusion:CRP response during E. coli bacteremia was attenuated but maintained even in patients with advanced liver dysfunction. |
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Keywords : C-reactive protein, Liver cirrhosis, E. coli, Bacteremia |
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