Mark A. Gromski et al. Microbiology of bile aspirates obtained at ERCP in patients
with suspected acute cholangitis
Bile aspirate pathogens were determined in this study of 721 patients undergoing ERCP
for suspected acute cholangitis. A positive bile culture was found in 662 patients
(91.8 %). Prior biliary endoscopic sphincterotomy, present in 459 ERCP cases (63.7 %),
was associated with certain microorganisms and in„creased the probability of finding
vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus. A biliary aspirate at the time of ERCP could promote
prompt titration of appropriate antimicrobial therapy, thereby decreasing the risk
of antimicrobial resistance development.
