Clinical relevance of microbial colonisation in the bile fluid of patients with biliary complications after liver transplantation

Introduction: Post-transplant biliary strictures (PTBS) are common after LTX with an incidence of up to 34%. There are two major forms, “ischemic-type biliary lesions“ (ITBL) and fibrotic strictures of the anastomotic region (AST). Endoscopic therapy has been shown to prolong graft survival in these situations, however, temporary increase of inflammation parameters after the intervention is frequent. The pathogenetic relevance of a microbial colonisation of the bile fluid in this context remains questionable. Furthermore, the benefits of periinterventional antibiotic prophylaxis strategies are not yet evaluated.…