Determinants of clinical response to empirical antibiotic treatment in patients with cirrhosis and bacterial and fungal infections—Results from the ICA “Global Study” (EABCIR-Global Study)

Background: The administration of an appropriate empirical antibiotic treatment is essential in cirrhosis and severe bacterial infections. We aimed to investigate the predictors of clinical response of empirical antibiotic treatment in a prospective cohort of patients with cirrhosis and bacterial and fungal infections included in the International Club of Ascites “Global Study.” Methods: Patients hospitalized with cirrhosis and bacterial/fungal infection were prospectively enrolled at 46 centers. Clinical response to antibiotic treatment was defined according to changes in markers of infection/inflammation, vital signs, improvement of organ failure, and results of cultures. Results: From October 2015 to September 2016, 1302 patients were included at 46 centers. A clinical response was achieved in only 61% of cases. Independent predictors of lack of clinical response to empirical treatment were C-reactive protein (OR = 1.16; 95% CI = 1.02–1.31), blood leukocyte count (OR = 1.39;95% CI = 1.09–1.77), serum albumin (OR = 0.70; 95% CI = 0.55–0.88), nosocomial infections (OR = 1.96; 95% CI = 1.20–2.38), pneumonia (OR = 1.75; 95% CI = 1.22–2.53), and ineffective treatment according to antibiotic susceptibility test (OR = 5.32; 95% CI = 3.47–8.57). Patients with a lack of clinical response to first-line antibiotic treatment had a significantly lower resolution rate of infections (55% vs. 96%; p < 0.001), a higher incidence of second infections (29% vs. 15%; p < 0.001), shock (35% vs. 7%; p < 0.001) and new organ failures (52% vs. 19 %; p < 0.001) than responders. Clinical response to empirical treatment was an independent predictor of 28-day survival ( subdistribution = 0.20; 95% CI = 0.14–0.27). Conclusions: Four out of 10 patients with cirrhosis do not respond to the first-line antibiotic therapy, leading to lower resolution of infections and higher mortality. Broader-spectrum antibiotics and strategies targeting systemic inflammation may improve prognosis in patients with a high degree of inflammation, low serum albumin levels, and severe liver impairment.