BACKGROUNDBiliary tract disease is common cause of bacteraemia, associated with high morbidity and mortality. Most common infecting organisms are from Enterobacteriaceae family. Complications of bacteraemia are acute renal failure & septic shock.
MATERIALS AND METHODSThe study was conducted on 50 cases of cholelithiasis (who were admitted and treated in different units of General Surgery Department) and had undergone open or laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The samples collected were blood or bile, and then Gallstone Culture, Antibiogram Testing, Biochemical test (indole, methyl red, etc.) were performed.
RESULTSGallstones disease was more common in females as compared to males (F:M:3.5: 1) and the maximum age incidence was in 41-50 years age group (38%). Pain abdomen was the predominant symptom present in 88% of cases, flatulent dyspepsia in 44% cases and nausea/vomiting in 32% cases, while tenderness in right hypochondrium was present in 44% of cases. Out of total 50 cases, 18 (36%) showed positive bile cultures and incidence of positive cultures increased with advancing age with maximum being positive in 41-60 years age group. Gallstone culture was positive in 28 cases (56%). Most common organism isolated from bile was E. coli (44% of positive cases) followed by Klebsiella (22%) and Pseudomonas (16%).
CONCLUSIONSInfection plays a key role in pathogenesis of chronic calculous cholecystitis and bile and gallstone culture is a good method to demonstrate the infective potential of bacteria colonising the gall bladder.