至少 90% 的患者有胆结石。[2]Kimura Y, Takada T, Strasberg SM, et al. TG13 current terminology, etiology, and epidemiology of acute cholangitis and cholecystitis. J Hepatobiliary Pancreat Sci. 2013 Jan;20(1):8-23.http://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007%2Fs00534-012-0564-0.pdfhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23307004?tool=bestpractice.com[3]Indar AA, Beckingham IJ. Acute cholecystitis. BMJ. 2002 Sep 21;325(7365):639-43.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1124163/http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12242178?tool=bestpractice.com[8]Ko CW, Lee SP. Gastrointestinal disorders of the critically ill. Biliary sludge and cholecystitis. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2003 Jun;17(3):383-96.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12763503?tool=bestpractice.com 蠕虫感染是亚洲、非洲南部和拉丁美洲胆道疾病的主要原因之一,但不包括美国。[10]Shah OJ, Zargar SA, Robbani I. Biliary ascariasis: a review: World J Surg. 2006 Aug;30(8):1500-6.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16874446?tool=bestpractice.com 沙门氏菌微生物感染已经被描述为继发于伤寒的胆囊炎的主要事件。艾滋病相关的胆囊炎和胆管病变可能继发于巨细胞病毒 (CMV) 和隐孢子虫感染。各种微生物可在疾病发作早期鉴别。这些微生物包括大肠杆菌、克雷伯杆菌、肠球菌、假单胞菌和脆弱拟杆菌。[11]Claesson B, Holmlund D, Mätzsch T. Biliary microflora in acute cholecystitis and the clinical implications. Acta Chir Scand. 1984;150(3):229-37.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6380177?tool=bestpractice.com 有人认为,细菌侵入不是导致损伤的主要病因,因为在 40% 以上患者的手术标本中没有发现细菌生长。[3]Indar AA, Beckingham IJ. Acute cholecystitis. BMJ. 2002 Sep 21;325(7365):639-43.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1124163/http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12242178?tool=bestpractice.com[7]Freidman GD, Raviola CA, Fireman B. Prognosis of gallstones with mild or no symptoms: 25 years of follow-up in a health maintenance organization. J Clin Epidemiol. 1989;42(2):127-36.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2918322?tool=bestpractice.com[12]Kanafani ZA, Khalifé N, Kanj SS, et al. Antibiotic use in acute cholecystitis: practice patterns in the absence of evidence-based guidelines. J Infect. 2005 Aug;51(2):128-34.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16038763?tool=bestpractice.com[13]Csendes A, Burdiles P, Maluenda F, et al. Simultaneous bacteriologic assessment of bile from gallbladder and common bile duct in control subjects and patients with gallstones and common duct stones. Arch Surg. 1996 Apr;131(4):389-94.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8615724?tool=bestpractice.com 一般来说,细菌感染为次要特征,不是初始事件。
偶尔会出现无胆结石的急性胆囊炎(在 5%-14% 病例中)。[3]Indar AA, Beckingham IJ. Acute cholecystitis. BMJ. 2002 Sep 21;325(7365):639-43.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1124163/http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12242178?tool=bestpractice.com饥饿、全胃肠外营养、麻醉性镇痛药和制动是急性非结石性胆囊炎的易感因素。现已报道此疾病在急性 EB 病毒 (EBV) 感染过程中罕见,可能是原发性 EBV 感染的非典型临床表现。[14]Kim A, Yang HR, Moon JS, et al. Epstein-Barr virus infection with acute acalculous cholecystitis. Pediatr Gastroenterol Hepatol Nutr. 2014 Mar;17(1):57-60.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3990785/http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24749090?tool=bestpractice.com 大多数急性非结石性胆囊炎病例会出现继发性革兰阴性菌感染。