Secondary sclerosing cholangitis rapidly leading to liver cirrhosis: a possible post-ICU treatment sequel

Secondary Sclerosing Cholangitis in Critically Ill Patients Alters the Gut-Liver Axis: A Case Control Study

Secondary sclerosing cholangitis in critically ill patients (SC-CIP) occurs after long-term intensive care treatment. This study aimed to assess the gut-liver axis in SC-CIP. Stool microbiome composition, gut permeability, bacterial translocation and serum bile acid profiles of 18 SC-CIP patients compared to 11 patients after critical illness without liver disease (CIP controls), 21 patients with cirrhosis and 21 healthy controls were studied. 16S rDNA was isolated from stool and sequenced using the Illumina technique. Diamine oxidase, zonulin, soluble CD14 (sCD14) and lipopolysaccharide binding protein were measured in serum and calprotectin in stool. Serum bile acids were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). Reduced microbiome alpha diversity and altered beta diversity were seen in SC-CIP, CIP controls and cirrhosis compared to healthy controls. SC-CIP patients showed a shift towards pathogenic taxa and an oralization. SC-CIP, CIP controls and cirrhotic patients presented with impaired gut permeability, and biomarkers of bacterial translocation were increased in SC-CIP and cirrhosis. Total serum bile acids were elevated in SC-CIP and cirrhosis and the bile acid profile was altered in SC-CIP, CIP controls and cirrhosis. In conclusions, observed alterations of the gut-liver axis in SC-CIP cannot solely be attributed to liver disease, but may also be secondary to long-term intensive care treatment.

Secondary Sclerosing Cholangitis in Critically Ill Patients: An Underdiagnosed Entity

Secondary sclerosing cholangitis in critically ill patients (SSC-CIP) is a recently identified cholestatic liver disease occurring in patients without prior history of hepatobiliary disease, after receiving treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU) in different settings, including cardiothoracic surgery, infection, trauma, and burns. It is a rare entity, being estimated to occur in 1/2,000 patients in an ICU; however, it is a dismal condition, with up to half of the patients dying during the ICU stay and with rapid progression to liver cirrhosis over weeks to months. SSC-CIP should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cholestasis in the ICU, particularly when cholestasis persists after recovery from the critical event. Diagnosis is established with magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography showing dilations and stenoses of the intrahepatic bile ducts as well as biliary casts. No available treatment has been shown to slow the rapid progression of the disease, and liver transplant referral should be considered early after the diagnosis of SSC-CIP. Increased awareness and timely diagnosis are crucial in order to improve the current appalling outcome.