CholangitisSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Cholangitis
Cholangitis is an infection of the bile ducts, the tubes that carry bile from the liver to the gallbladder and intestines. Bile is a liquid made by the liver that helps digest food.
Acute cholangitis; Ascending cholangitis; Suppurative cholangitis
Cholangitis is most often caused by bacteria. This can occur when the duct is blocked by something, such as a gallstone or tumor. The infection causing this condition may also spread to the liver. This is called ascending cholangitis.
Risk factors include a previous history of gallstones, sclerosing cholangitis, HIV, narrowing of the common bile duct, and rarely, travel to countries where you might catch a worm or parasite infection.
The following symptoms may occur:
- Pain on the upper right side or upper middle part of the abdomen. It may also be felt in the back or below the right shoulder blade. The pain may come and go and feel sharp, cramp-like, or dull.
- Fever and chills.
- Dark urine and clay-colored or pale stools.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Yellowing of the skin (jaundice), which may come and go.
Quick diagnosis and treatment are very important.
Antibiotics to cure the infection are the first treatment done in most cases. ERCP or a surgical procedure is done when the person is stable. ERCP will drain the infection, which is usually needed along with antibiotics.
People who are very ill or are quickly getting worse may need surgery right away.
Orlando Health Digestive Health Institute - Downtown Orlando
Udayakumar Navaneethan is a Gastroenterologist practicing medicine in Orlando, Florida. Dr. Navaneethan is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Cholangitis. He is also highly rated in 37 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Sclerosing Cholangitis, Cholangitis, Ulcerative Colitis, Endoscopy, and Colonoscopy. Dr. Navaneethan is board certified in American Board Of Internal Medicine And Gastroenterology. Dr. Navaneethan is currently accepting new patients.
Duke Gastroenterology Clinic - Clinic 2J
Andrew Muir is a Hepatologist and a Transplant Surgeon practicing medicine in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Muir is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Cholangitis. He is also highly rated in 22 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Hepatitis C, Hepatitis, Sclerosing Cholangitis, Liver Transplant, and Kidney Transplant. Dr. Muir is board certified in American Board Of Internal Med, Gastroenterology and American Board Of Internal Med, Transplant Hepatology. Dr. Muir is currently accepting new patients.
Cynthia Levy is a Hepatologist and a Transplant Surgeon practicing medicine in Miami, Florida. Dr. Levy is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Cholangitis. She is also highly rated in 20 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Primary Biliary Cholangitis, Cholangitis, Sclerosing Cholangitis, Liver Transplant, and Kidney Transplant. Dr. Levy is currently accepting new patients.
The outcome is very often good with treatment, but poor without it.
Complications may include:
- Sepsis
- Heart failure
- Multiple organ failure
- Pneumonia
- Death
Contact your health care provider if you have symptoms of cholangitis.
Treatment of gallstones, tumors, and infestations of parasites may reduce the risk for some people. A metal or plastic stent that is placed in the bile system may be needed to prevent the infection from returning.
Summary: Develop an appropriate real-world data comparator cohort to support the design, execution, and serve as an external control for interventional clinical trials in PSC.
Background: Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a rare chronic liver disease. It affects the bile ducts of the liver. It can result in bile duct infections, cirrhosis, cancer, and end stage liver disease. Researchers want to learn more about this disease.
Published Date: April 27, 2026
Published By: Todd Eisner, MD, Private practice specializing in Gastroenterology in Boca Raton and Delray Beach, Florida at Gastroenterology Consultants of Boca Raton. Affiliate Assistant Professor, Florida Atlantic University School of Medicine. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Fogel EL, Sherman S. Diseases of the gallbladder and bile ducts. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 141.
Sifri CD, Madoff LC. Infections of the liver and biliary system (liver abscess, cholangitis, cholecystitis). In: Blaser MJ, Cohen JI, Holland SM, et al, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2026:chap 77.
Wang DQH, Afdahl NH, Wang D. Gallstone disease. In: Chung RT, Rubin DT, Wilcox CM, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2026:chap 67.