Risk Factors of Septic Metastatic Infection among Patients with Klebsiella pneumoniae Liver Abscess in Singapore: A Case-Control Study

Metastatic infection resulting from Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess (KPLA) results in high mortality and morbidity. This study aimed to determine the risk factors associated with metastatic infection among patients with KPLA in Singapore. A retrospective case-control analysis among adult patients admitted to the National University Hospital with KPLA between 2013 and 2017 was conducted. Univariate and multivariate regression analysis was conducted. Of the 116 KPLA patients, 38.8% had pulmonary metastatic infection. Length of hospital stay (P = 0.001) and intensive care unit admissions (P = 0.044) were significantly longer and greater, respectively, among the patients with metastatic infection. Sepsis-induced hypotension (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 4.88; 95% CI, 1.1-21.69), breathlessness (AOR, 5.10; 95% CI, 1.42-18.27), and abscess size (AOR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01-1.03) were associated independently with septic metastatic infection. Patients with KPLA who had breathlessness and larger abscess size are at a greater risk of septic metastatic infection.

Automated summary

Metastatic infection resulting from Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess (KPLA) has a high mortality and morbidity rate. This study found that length of hospital stay and intensive care unit admissions were significantly longer and greater, respectively, among patients with metastatic infection. Sepsis-induced hypotension, breathlessness, and abscess size were independently associated with septic metastatic infection.