TRANSLOCATION OF INTESTINAL MICROFLORA IN CIRRHOSIS

Abstract

Background. Understanding of intestinal bacteria-host interaction physiology as well as bacterial translocation characteristics at the initial stages and in advanced cirrhosis emphasizes the importance of approaches minimizing the migration of microorganisms and their components from the intestinal lumen. Objective – to provide a brief review of publications highlighting the problem of bacterial intestinal translocation as the main mechanism for the development of bacterial infections and pro-inflammatory status in patients with liver cirrhosis. Material and methods. We performed the study and analysis of English- and Russian-language articles over the past 30 years contained in the following databases: PubMed, Cochrane Collaboration, UpToDate. The key words were: «intestinal microflora translocation», «bacterial translocation», «translocation markers». Results. Contemporary views on changes of the intestinal barrier and those of innate and adaptive immunity systems in liver diseases are considered. Data on possibility and signifcance of detecting bacterial translocation are presented.Current methods used for gut microbiome analysis as well as some areas for future research are discussed. Conclusion. A validated marker/markers is required to study bacterial translocation in cirrhosis.