Cholangitis

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Cholangitis

Cholangitis is an infection of the common bile duct, which carries bile (which helps in digestion) from the liver to the gallbladder and then to the intestines.

Cholangitis is usually caused by a bacterial infection, which can occur when the duct is obstructed by a gallstone, stricture, or tumor. Flukes and worms can sometimes become lodged in the bile duct and lead to this problem, but this is not common in the United States.

The infection causing this condition may also spread to the liver. Risk factors include a previous history of gallstones, biliary diseases such as sclerosing cholangitis (primary or secondary), HIV, and rarely, travel to countries where a worm or fluke infection can be contracted.

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