Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Bacterial infections in liver and bile of dogs and cats
By Wagner, Karin A et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2007·Department of Medical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Bacterial culture results from liver, gallbladder, or bile in 248 dogs and cats evaluated for hepatobiliary disease: 1998-2003.
Plain-English summary
This study looked at the bacteria found in the liver, gallbladder, or bile of 248 dogs and cats that were suspected to have liver or bile duct problems between 1998 and 2003. The researchers found that bile samples were more likely to show bacteria than liver samples, with 30% of bile cultures being positive compared to only 7% of liver cultures. In cases of gallbladder inflammation, a significant 62% of bile samples tested positive for bacteria. The most common bacteria identified included Escherichia coli and Enterococcus species. Overall, the study suggests that bile cultures are a useful tool for diagnosing infections in pets with liver or gallbladder issues, and the treatment options are generally effective against many of the bacteria found.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Information is lacking on the prevalence and susceptibility patterns of bacterial isolates in dogs and cats with suspected hepatobiliary disease. OBJECTIVES: To characterize the prevalence, identity, and antimicrobial susceptibility of common hepatobiliary isolates from such patients. ANIMALS: Dogs and cats presented to the University of Wisconsin-Madison Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital for which samples of bile, gallbladder, or liver were submitted for culture from 1998 to 2003, including 190 dogs (192 culture episodes) and 58 cats (61 culture episodes). METHODS: Cases were identified from the microbiology laboratory database. Data from patient medical records were extracted, including the history of antimicrobial administration, the presence of fever, the results of CBC and serum biochemistry, the presence of biliary obstruction or hepatobiliary inflammation, and the results of aerobic and anaerobic bacterial cultures and aerobic antimicrobial susceptibilities. RESULTS: Biliary cultures yielded a significantly higher percentage of positive results overall (30% [18 of 60]) than did hepatic cultures (7% [15 of 215]). In patients with cholecystitis, 62% (8 of 13) had positive biliary cultures. In patients with hepatic inflammation, 23% (7 of 30) had positive bile cultures, whereas only 6% (6 of 103) had positive hepatic cultures. Escherichia coli, Enterococcus spp., Bacteroides spp., Streptococcus spp., and Clostridium spp. were the most common true-positive isolates. More than 80% of Enterobacteriaceae were susceptible to ciprofloxacin or aminoglycosides, with only 30-67% susceptible to first-generation aminopenicillins and cephalosporins. Liver samples obtained by surgery or laparoscopy were more likely to yield positive cultures than those obtained by percutaneous needle biopsy.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17552445/