Biliary microbial patterns in primary sclerosing cholangitis are linked to poorer transplant-free survival.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Factors that determine individual disease course of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) are poorly understood. Although an association between gut microbes and disease outcome has been suggested, little is known about the role of microbes in the biliary tract.

Methods

We analyzed microbial cultures from bile specimens obtained during routine endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and intraoperatively before liver transplantation in 114 patients with PSC in our tertiary academic center. The presence of bacterial and fungal species was correlated with clinical characteristics and outcome data.

Results

A total of 87 patients (76%) had positive bile culture results. The presence of concomitant inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) was a

SUBMITTER: Ozdirik B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10540062 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature