Pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis (PVO) is uncommon, but its incidence is increasing.1 However, the clinical significance of PVO is unclear in the setting of cirrhosis. Herein, we report on the clinical characteristics of 39 patients with PVO and cirrhosis.Diagnosis of PVO was established by (1) compatible clinical picture, (2) consistent imaging findings on magnetic resonance imaging, and (3) isolation of pyogenic microorganisms in blood culture (in 36 patients) or samples obtained by computed tomography CT-guided bone biopsy (2 cases) or by open surgery (1 case) as described in our previous report.2 Median patient age was 59 (interquartile range [IQR]: 49-67), and 25 (64%) patients were male. According to the Child-Pugh classes, 13% of patients were defined as grade A, 54% as grade B, and 33% as grade C. Back pain and fever were the most common symptoms. Bacteremia was documented in 36 patients (92%). The responsible organisms were Staphylococcus aureus in 20 (54%; methicillin resistant in 9) cases, Streptococci spp., in 8 (21%), and Enterobacteriaceae in 8 (21%) cases. The most frequently prescribed intravenous antibiotics were a b-lactam agent (63%) and vancomycin (32%). Median antibiotic treatment duration was 56 days (IQR, 41-80). Twenty (51%) patients with PVO developed renal failure. Nine had hepatic encephalopathy and 10 had concomitant SBP during the hospitalization. Within a 90-day follow-up period, resolution of infection was achieved in 29 patients. Overall 90-day mortality rate was 38% (15 of 39).The most striking finding of our study is the high frequency of renal failure (51%), an incidence much higher than other reported infections.(3,4) Multivariate analysis revealed that concomitant SBP was an independent predictor of renal failure (odds ratio: 14.7; 95% confidence interval: 1.64-132.6; P 5 0.02).The 90-day mortality in the present study was higher than that observed for patients with cirrhosis and non-PVO infections.(3,4) PVO may be incite acute-on-chronic liver failure as can skin and soft tissue infection.(4) PVO usually presents insidiously and follows an indolent clinical course; thus, life expectancy may not be affected in the general population.(1) However, the same may not be true for patients with cirrhosis.