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Background/Aims The development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with multiple genetic and environmental factors. Methods We performed a genome-wide association study to identify the genetic factors related to NAFLD in a Korean population-based sample of 1,593 subjects with NAFLD and 2,816 controls. We replicated the data in another sample that included 744 NAFLD patients and 1,137 controls. We investigated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that were related to NAFLD. Results After adjusting for age, sex and body mass index, rs738409, rs12483959 and rs2281135, located in the PNPLA3 gene, were validated in our population (p＜8.56×10-8) in the same linkage disequilibrium block. Additionally, rs2143571, rs3761472, and rs2073080 in the SAMM50 gene showed significant associations with NAFLD (p＜8.56×10-8). Furthermore, these six SNPs showed significant associations with the severity of fatty liver (all p＜2.0×10-10 in the discovery set and p＜2.0×10-6 in the validation set) and NAFLD, with elevated levels of alanine aminotransferase (all p＜2.0×10-10 in the discovery set and p＜2.0×10-6 in the validation set). Conclusions We demonstrated that the PNPLA3 and SAMM50 genes are significantly associated with the presence and severity of NAFLD in a Korean population. These findings confirm the important roles of genetic factors in the pathogenesis of NAFLD.

Background/Aims: Bacteremia following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a severe complication, but the risk factors for this condition have not yet been clearly determined. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors of post-ERCP bacteremia. Methods: Among patients who underwent ERCP from June 2006 to May 2009, we selected patients without any signs of infection prior to the ERCP procedures. Of these patients, we further selected those who experienced bacteremia after ERCP as well as two-fold age and sex-matched controls who did not experience bacteremia after ERCP procedures. We compared clinical, laboratory and technical aspects between these two groups. Results: There were 70 patients (3.1%) who developed bacteremia after ERCP. In the multivariate analysis, a history of previous liver transplantation, an elevated serum alkaline phosphatase level and an endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage procedure were independent risk factors of post-ERCP bacteremia (p=0.006, p=0.001, and p=0.004, respectively). The microbiologic analysis revealed the presence of gram-negative organisms in 80% of the cases, and 11 patients had infections with bacteria expressing extended spectrum β-lactamases. Pseudomonas infection was significantly more common in patients who received liver transplantation as compared to patients without transplantation (p=0.014). Conclusions: A history of liver transplantation, elevated serum alkaline phosphatase levels and endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage procedure were independent risk factors of post-ERCP bacteremia and require additional attention in future studies.

Hilar cholangiocarcinomas are often treated with liver resections. Hepatic dysfunction and infection are common postoperative complications. Although secondary bacterial peritonitis due to abdominal abscess or perforation is common, we report herein the first case of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis after hepatic resection. A 61-year-old male patient without underlying liver disease was diagnosed as having a Klatskin tumor, and a right trisectionectomy with caudate lobectomy was performed. From postoperative days 18-28, the patient gained 4.1 kg as ascites developed, and showed evidence of hepatic insufficiency with prolonged prothrombin time and jaundice. Computed tomography, performed at postoperative day 28 when fever had developed, showed only ascites without bowel perforation or abscess. When paracentesis was performed, the serum-ascites albumin gradient was 2.3 g/dL, indicating portal hypertension, and the ascites' polymorphonuclear cell count was 1,156/mm(3). Since the clinical, laboratory, and image findings were compatible with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, we started empirical antibiotics without additional intervention. Follow-up analysis of the ascites after 48 hours revealed that the polymorphonuclear cell count had decreased markedly to 108/mm(3); the fever and leukocytosis had also improved. After 2 weeks of antibiotic treatment, the patient recovered well, and was discharged without any problem.