Abstract
Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a clinical syndrome characterized by acute decompensation of chronic liver disease associating with multiple organ failures and high short- term mortality. Patients with ACLF are highly susceptible to infection due to the pathophysiology features including immune function disorder (overlap of excessive inflammatory reaction and immune dysfunction), gut bacterial overgrowth/dysbiosis and translocation of gut microbiota/products. Appropriate empirical antibiotics plays a pivotal role in the management of ACLF with infection.