Biliary Level of Amylase in Gallstone Patients Associated with Bacterial Infection

Abstract

To assess the role of pancreatic enzymes in the formation of gallstones, we examined bile and stones from 112 consecutive gallstone patients undergoing cholecystectomy and/or bile duct exploration. The bacterial culture of bile was positive in 95 and 91 % of the cases with pigment stones and bile duct stones, respectively. Amylase activity, which was correlated with lipase activity, was higher in septic than in sterile bile, and was also high in patients with pigment and bile duct stones. These results clearly imply that pigment stones are associated with both an increase in pancreatic enzymes and bacterial infection.