Impact of evolving trends in recipient and donor characteristics on cytomegalovirus infection in liver transplant recipients

BACKGROUND: This study determines whether the recipient and donor characteristics that influence the cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection rate after liver transplantation have changed. METHODS: The recipient and donor characteristics that may affect the rate of CMV infection were assessed in 232 liver transplant recipients at our institution during a 14-year period (1989-2003). RESULTS: Since 1989, the age of recipients (P=0.0001) and donors (P=0.0001) has increased significantly. Pretransplant CMV seropositivity in recipients has decreased significantly (P=0.0001, 86.4% [1989-1992] to 53.7% [2000-2003]), whereas donor CMV seropositivity has remained unchanged (P>0.20). As a result, there has been a significant increase in the proportion of high-risk (CMV recipient-/donor+) patients (P=0.012); 10.6% of recipients from 1989 to 1992 versus 24.1% of recipients from 2000 to 2003 were CMV recipient-/donor+. The Child-Pugh scores of recipients have remained unchanged over time. However, the proportion of patients undergoing transplantation while being cared for in the intensive care unit has decreased significantly over time (P=0.0002). Despite an increase in the rate of CMV infection (P=0.09), the incidence of CMV disease has decreased significantly (P=0.0004). CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of high-risk patients (CMV recipient-/donor+) has increased significantly over time, attributable largely to a declining rate of CMV seropositivity in recipients before transplantation. These data have implications for guiding prophylactic practices and resource use after liver transplantation.     

Outcome of infections caused by multiple drug-resistant bacteria in liver transplant recipients

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of infections caused by multiple-drug-resistant (MDR) bacteria on the clinical outcome of liver transplant recipients. METHODS: Retrospective study including all episodes of bacterial infection diagnosed in patients undergoing liver transplantation from January 19, 1999, to June 30, 2002. The diagnosis of bacterial infection required microbiological documentation. Mortality associated with episodes of infection by MDR bacteria was compared to that observed after antibiotic-susceptible bacterial infections. RESULTS: Among 99 patients undergoing liver transplantation during the study period, there were 57 episodes of bacterial infections. Gram-negative bacilli were the predominant etiologic agents (76%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most frequent bacterial species found in these cases (23 isolates, 28%). Thirty-six episodes of infection (63%) were caused by MDR bacteria. Mean time after transplantation to the diagnosis of infection was 17 days. Mortality associated with episodes of MDR bacterial infections (nine deaths, 25%) was not significantly different from that observed during episodes of antibiotic-susceptible bacteria (five deaths, 24%; P =.92). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that resistance to multiple antimicrobial agents does not have an impact on the mortality associated to bacterial infections in liver transplant recipients.     

Human herpesvirus-6 in liver transplant recipients: role in pathogenesis of fungal infections, neurologic complications, and outcome

BACKGROUND: The clinical impact and relevance of human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) infection in liver transplant recipients, has not been fully discerned. METHODS: A prospective study of 80 consecutive liver transplant recipients was performed using surveillance cultures for HHV-6 at weeks 2, 3, 4, and 6 after transplantation. Viral isolation was used for the detection of HHV-6. RESULTS: HHV-6 infection occurred in 39% (31 of 80) of the patients. Patients with HHV-6 infection were more likely to have hepatocellular carcinoma as underlying liver disease (P=.09). Mental status changes of unidentifiable etiology were significantly more likely to occur in patients with HHV-6 compared with those without (26%, 9 of 31 vs. 6%, 3 of 49, P=.008). HHV-6 infection was an independent predictor of invasive fungal infections (odds ratio 8.3, 95% confidence interval, 1.2-58.0, P=.03). A significant association between HHV-6 infection and CMV infection after transplantation, CMV recipient and donor serostatus, rejection, or fever of unknown origin, could not be documented. Mortality at last follow-up in patients with HHV-6 infection (29%, 9 of 31) was significantly greater than those without HHV-6 (6%, 3 of 49, P=.008). CONCLUSIONS: Central nervous system complications of unknown etiology after liver transplantation may be related to HHV-6 infection. HHV-6 viremia was an independently significant predictor of invasive fungal infections and was associated with late mortality in liver transplantation recipients.     

Infections following orthotopic liver transplantation.

The epidemiology of infections associated with orthotopic liver transplantation is summarized herein, and approaches to prophylaxis are outlined. Infection is a major complication following orthotopic liver transplantation, and more than half of transplant recipients develop at least one infection. The risk of infection is highest in the first month after transplantation, and the most common pathogens are bacteria and cytomegalovirus (CMV). Bacterial infections usually occur in the first month, arise in the abdomen, and are caused by aerobes. The peak incidence of CMV infection is late in the first month and early in the second month after transplantation. CMV syndromes include fever and neutropenia, hepatitis, pneumonitis, gut ulceration, and disseminated infection. Other significant problems are Candida intraabdominal infection, Herpes simplex mucocutaneous infection or hepatitis, adenovirus hepatitis, and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Prophylaxis of infection in liver transplant recipients has not been well-studied. Several different regimens of parenteral, oral absorbable, and/or oral non-absorbable antibiotics active against bacteria and yeast have been used at various centers, but no randomized controlled trials have been conducted. Selective bowel decontamination appears to be a promising approach to the prevention of bacterial and Candida infections, while oral acyclovir may be a relatively convenient and effective agent for CMV prophylaxis.     

Risk Factors for Posttransplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder in Pediatric Liver Transplant Recipients With Cytomegalovirus Antigenemia

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infections, associated with posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) are known to develop in cytomegalovirus (CMV)-infected transplant recipients due to the indirect effects of CMV. This study evaluated risk factors for PTLD among pediatric liver transplant recipients with CMV infections. We reviewed the medical records of 119 patients ≤18 years old who underwent liver transplantation between September 1996 and April 2009. Sixty-six subjects (55.5%) displayed CMV antigenemia during the study period; 15 (12.6%) developed PTLD. Of these, 10 developed PTLD after CMV antigenemia. The other patients (n = 5) were excluded due to negative CMV antigenemia. The incidence of PTLD influenced by CMV infection was not significantly different from the incidence of PTLD without underlying CMV (P = .258). There were no differences in age, gender, antiviral prophylaxis, type of liver transplantation, or acute rejection episodes in the incidence of between patients with versus without PTLD. EBV but not CMV high-risk groups were a predictor for the development of PTLD (P = .035). CMV syndrome, tissue-invasive CMV disease, and CMV peak titer were not associated with an increased risk of PTLD. The primary risk factor for PTLD was EBV high-risk patients (donor positive/recipient negative). CMV disease was not associated with PTLD in pediatric liver transplant recipients with CMV infections.     

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection in liver transplantation: a matched controlled study

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical impact of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections on transplant recipients. METHODS: Liver and kidney recipients with MRSA infections were retrospectively identified and compared to an age, gender, UNOS status, organ transplanted, and transplant date matched (2:1) non-MRSA-infected recipient control group. All MRSA infections were initially treated with vancomycin, and four (33%) liver recipients were converted to linezolid therapy after failing to improve with vancomycin. RESULTS: The overall MRSA infection incidence was 1.4% (24/1770) with MRSA more common in liver (3.75%; 12/320) than kidney transplants (0.8%; 12/1450) (P < .001). The most common sites of MRSA infection were blood (42%), lung (38%), and abdomen (29%). The MRSA group had a greater percentage of prior antibiotic usage (79% vs 40%; P < .0015). The MRSA group experienced more posttransplant complications (52% vs 19%; P < .011)), and exhibited a trend toward greater length of stay in the intensive care unit (7.8 vs 4.6 days; P = .09), but not overall length of stay. Survival was similar in MRSA and non-MRSA groups (75% vs 88%; P = .17). No significant differences in mortality were noted between liver and kidney recipients infected with MRSA (P = .6). CONCLUSION: MRSA infection is associated with a higher incidence of posttransplant complications and antibiotic usage in both liver and kidney recipients compared to patients with MRSA infection.     

Thrombocytopenia in liver transplant recipients: predictors, impact on fungal infections, and role of endogenous thrombopoietin

BACKGROUND: Thrombocytopenia is a frequent and potentially serious complication in liver transplant recipients. The role of endogenous thrombopoietin level in posttransplant thrombocytopenia, has not been fully defined in liver transplant recipients. Additionally, there is accumulating evidence to suggest that platelets play a important role in antimicrobial host defense. METHODS: There were 50 consecutive liver transplant recipients studied. Variables predictive of thrombocytopenia, its impact on infectious morbidity and outcome, and serial thrombopoietin (TPO) serum concentration were assessed. RESULTS: The median pretransplant platelet count was 67 x 10(3)/cmm. After the liver transplantation, the median nadir platelet count was 33 x 10(3)/cmm and was reached a mean of 6 days after the transplant. A lower pretransplant platelet count (r= +.068, P=.0001), lower serum albumin before the transplants (r=+0.39, P=.014), longer operation time (r=0.27, P=.05), higher intraoperative packed red cells (r=0.28, P=.049) and fresh frozen plasma transfusions (r=0.42, P=.004), higher bilirubin at Day 7 (r=-.386, P=.005), and higher serum creatinine at Day 7 after the transplants (r=-.031, P=.025) correlated significantly with a lower nadir in platelets after the transplant. Nadir in platelet count was significantly lower in nonsurvivors compared with survivors (16 vs. 36 x 10(3)/cmm, P=.0001). Forty-three percent (9 of 21) of the patients with nadir platelet counts of < or =30 x 10(3)/cmm had a major infection within 30 days of the transplant compared with 17% (5 of 29) with nadir platelet counts > 30 x 10(3)/cmm (P=.04). Fungal infections occurred in 14% of the patients with nadir platelet counts of < or =30 x 10(3)/cmm versus 0% in those with nadir platelet counts of > 30 x 10(3)/cmm (P=.06); all patients with fungal infections had nadir platelet counts of < or =30 x 10(3)/cmm before fungal infection. Nadir in platelet count preceded the first major infection by a median of 7 days. Pretransplant TPO level did not differ between survivors (mean 103 pg/ml) or nonsurvivors (mean 144 pg/ml). After the transplantation, TPO levels increased in both groups. TPO level peaked at Day 7 and subsequently declined in survivors. Nonsurvivors had persistent thrombocytopenia despite a progressive rise in TPO level; TPO level was significantly higher at Day 7 (P=.02), Day 9 (P=.0019), and Day 14 (P=.04) in nonsurvivors compared with survivors. CONCLUSION: Persistent thrombocytopenia portended a poor outcome in liver transplant recipients and was not related to low TPO levels. Thrombocytopenia preceded infections and identified a subgroup of liver transplant patients susceptible to early major infections; its precise role in fungal infections warrants validation in larger studies.     

The effect of surgical site infections on outcomes and resource utilization after liver transplantation

BACKGROUND: Although postoperative infections have a significant impact on morbidity and mortality after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), less is known about their economic implications. In this study, we sought to identify risk factors and estimate the impact of surgical site infections on 1-year mortality, graft survival, and resource utilization after OLT. METHODS: We studied 777 first, single-organ liver transplant recipients from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Liver Transplantation Database. Surgical site infections (n = 292, 37.8%) were defined as bacterial or fungal infections of the liver, intestine, biliary tract, surgical wound, or peritoneum within 1 year of transplantation. A subset of these (n = 159) occurred during the transplant hospitalization and were used to estimate excess charges associated with surgical site infections. RESULTS: Leaks in the choledochojejunostomy (odds ratio [OR] = 7.1, P =.001) and choledochocholedochostomy (OR = 2.5, P =.002), extended operation duration in hours (OR = 1.2, P =.002), serum albumin levels in grams per liters (OR = 0.71, P =.009), ascites (OR = 1.43, P =.037), and administration of OKT3 within 7 days (OR = 1.49, P =.039) significantly increased risk of infection. Surgical site infections did not significantly increase 1-year mortality (88.5% vs 91.5%, P =.19) but significantly increased 1-year graft loss (79.8% vs 86.5%, P =.022). Patients with surgical site infections incurred approximately 24 extra hospital days and $159,967 in excess charges (P =.0001). Multivariate analysis reduced the estimate of excess charges to $131,276 (P =.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Liver transplant recipients who develop surgical site infection have significantly higher resource utilization requirements than those who do not. These results imply substantial returns to preventative efforts directed at surgical site infections in patients undergoing OLT.     

Early infections in kidney, heart, and liver transplant recipients on cyclosporine

Eighty-one renal, seventeen heart, and twenty-four liver transplant patients were followed for infection. Seventeen renal patients received azathioprine (Aza) and prednisone as part of a randomized trial of immunosuppression with 21 cyclosporine-and-prednisone-treated renal transplant patients. All others received cyclosporine and prednisone. The randomized Aza patients had more overall infections (P less than 0.05) and more nonviral infections (P less than 0.02) than the randomized cyclosporine patients. Heart and liver patients had more infections than cyclosporine renal patients but fewer infections than the Aza renal patients. There were no infectious deaths in renal transplant patients on cyclosporine or Aza, but infection played a major role in 3 out of 6 cardiac transplant deaths and in 8 out of 9 liver transplant deaths. Renal patients on cyclosporine had the fewest bacteremias. Analysis of site of infection showed a preponderance of abdominal infections in liver patients, intrathoracic infections in heart patients, and urinary tract infections in renal patients. Pulmonary infections were less common in cyclosporine-treated renal patients than in Aza-treated patients (P less than 0.05). Aza patients had significantly more staphylococcal infections than all other transplant groups (P less than 0.005), and systemic fungal infections occurred only in the liver transplant group. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) shedding or serological rises in antibody titer, or both occurred in 78% of cyclosporine patients and 76% of Aza patients. Of the cyclosporine patients, 15% had symptoms related to CMV infection. Serological evidence for Epstein Barr Virus infection was found in 20% of 65 cyclosporine patients studied. Three had associated symptoms, and one developed a lymphoma.     

肺移植受者30例术后早期感染诊疗分析

目的总结和分析肺移植受者术后早期感染特点及预后。 方法回顾性分析河南省人民医院肺移植科2015年10月至2018年1月实施的30例肺移植受者临床资料。供肺来自于27例心脏死亡器官捐献供者。30例受者中双肺移植2例,单肺移植28例。受者术中予亚胺培南西司他丁,术后联合应用亚胺培南西司他丁＋卡泊芬净＋更昔洛韦预防感染。术后免疫抑制方案为他克莫司＋吗替麦考酚酯＋泼尼松。住院期间对受者常规行胸部X线或胸部CT、支气管镜检查和病原学监测等;术后3个月内每1至2周门诊随访1次。 结果2例供者气道分泌物培养阳性,1例考虑为非结核分枝杆菌感染。术后30 d内,22例受者共发生24例次细菌感染(呼吸系统感染21例次,血流感染3例次),感染发生率为73.3%(22/30)。呼吸系统感染包括单纯气道感染9例次,气道感染合并侵袭性肺部感染9例次,胸腔感染3例次。呼吸系统感染中16例次为单一病原体感染,5例次为2种及以上病原体混合感染。呼吸系统感染共分离出病原体26株：鲍曼不动杆菌10株(8株为泛耐药),耐碳氢酶烯类肺炎克雷伯杆菌5株,铜绿假单胞菌3株(2株为泛耐药),泛耐药嗜麦芽窄食单胞菌和泛耐药纹带棒杆菌各2株,黏质沙雷菌、阴沟肠杆菌、耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌和非结核分枝杆菌各1株。血流感染包括耐碳氢酶烯类肺炎克雷伯杆菌2例次和脑膜炎黄杆菌1例次。21例次呼吸系统细菌感染中考虑合并真菌感染3例次。10例鲍曼不动杆菌感染受者经治疗后,7例感染控制,其余3例分别于肺移植术后第40、45和60天死亡。5例耐碳氢酶烯类肺炎克雷伯杆菌感染受者抗感染治疗后,4例感染控制,1例于肺移植术后第50天死亡。随访至2019年7月,9例受者死亡,其余受者均可进行日常活动。 结论肺移植术后早期感染以气道感染和移植肺侵袭性感染多见,感染病原体以泛耐药或多耐药的革兰阴性杆菌为主。     

住院患者尿路感染病原菌分布及耐药性监测

目的通过调查和分析住院患者尿路感染病原菌的分布及耐药状况,为抗菌药物的合理应用提供参考。方法对浙江萧山医院2009年1月～2011年12月住院患者尿培养阳性样本中分离的1033株菌株进行回顾性分析,尿液采用经典型浸片Urieult培养,药敏试验用K—B法进行,采用WHONET5．6软件对药敏试验结果进行分析。结果1033株阳性菌株中,革兰阴性菌681株（65．9％）,革兰阳性菌197株（19．1％）,真菌155株（15．0％）。分离株位居前三位的是大肠埃希菌402株（38．9％）,肺炎克雷伯菌74株（7．2％）和白假丝酵母菌64株（6．2％）。大肠埃希菌和肺炎克雷伯菌中产超广谱β-内酰胺酶（ESBLs）检出率分别为60．7％（244／402）和45．9％（34／74）。亚胺培南、美罗培南、头孢哌酮／舒巴坦、哌拉西林／他唑巴坦和阿米卡星对大肠埃希菌和肺炎克雷伯菌显示较高的抗菌活性;肠球菌属、葡萄球菌对万古霉素、利奈唑胺和呋哺妥因耐药率低;假丝酵母菌对氟胞嘧啶、伏立康唑和两性霉素B有较高的敏感率。结论本组住院患者尿路感染病原菌以革兰阴性菌为主,尤以大肠埃希菌居多,监测和分析病原菌种类及其耐药性对指导临床合理用药具有重要意义。     

The Impact of Infection on Chronic Allograft Dysfunction and Allograft Survival After Solid Organ Transplantation

Infectious diseases after solid organ transplantation (SOT) are a significant cause of morbidity and reduced allograft and patient survival; however, the influence of infection on the development of chronic allograft dysfunction has not been completely delineated. Some viral infections appear to affect allograft function by both inducing direct tissue damage and immunologically related injury, including acute rejection. In particular, this has been observed for cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in all SOT recipients and for BK virus infection in kidney transplant recipients, for community‐acquired respiratory viruses in lung transplant recipients, and for hepatitis C virus in liver transplant recipients. The impact of bacterial and fungal infections is less clear, but bacterial urinary tract infections and respiratory tract colonization by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Aspergillus spp appear to be correlated with higher rates of chronic allograft dysfunction in kidney and lung transplant recipients, respectively. Evidence supports the beneficial effects of the use of antiviral prophylaxis for CMV in improving allograft function and survival in SOT recipients. Nevertheless, there is still a need for prospective interventional trials assessing the potential effects of preventive and therapeutic strategies against bacterial and fungal infection for reducing or delaying the development of chronic allograft dysfunction.     

Cytomegalovirus disease latent and active infection rates during the first trimester after kidney transplantation

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is the single most frequent infectious complication in renal transplant recipients. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of latent and active infections with CMV during the first 3 months after kidney transplantation. From January 2000 to December 2001, 203 consecutive adult renal transplant recipients underwent weekly measurements of pp65 CMV antigen from the 4th to the 12th posttransplantation week. Latent infection (seropositivity) was found in 92% of the population. Primary infection occurred in 4.9% (10 of 203), among whom 66% were previously seronegative patients. Among the primary infection patients, 70% (7 of 10) developed severe disease. The overall incidence of viremia was 69.5%, being more frequent among cadaver recipients (79% vs 59%; P =.02). The overall incidence of CMV disease was 38.4% (78 of 203) with 24.6% classified as severe disease requiring antiviral therapy. In conclusion, our population showed a high prevalence of latent infection with viremia. Not all patients developed clinical disease. Most subjects experienced a mild spectrum of symptoms, probably due to the prospective search for active infection during the major risk period after kidney transplantation.     

Early and Delayed Onset Cytomegalovirus Infection of Liver Transplant Recipients in Endemic Areas

Background

The delayed onset of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection after liver transplantation can place patients at risk for graft failure and mortality.

Methods

We compared early versus delayed onset of CMV infection to identify risk factors for mortality among liver transplant recipients in an endemic area.

Results

Among 710 consecutive adult liver transplant recipients, incidence of CMV infection was 47.5% (337/710). Male gender, biliary complications, acute rejection episodes, antilymphocyte antibodies high hemoglobin, and high total bilirubin were significantly different among patients with delayed versus early onset CMV infections. The overall incidence of early versus delayed CMV infections was 43.1% (306/710) versus 4.4% (31/710). Among them, 11.1% (34/306) and 25.8% (8/31) of patients developed CMV disease.

Conclusion

These results showed that a higher proportion of patients developed disease among delayed CMV infected patients (P = .039). The overall and graft survival curves for patients with early onset CMV infections were better than those of patients who had delayed onset CMV infections (P = .026 and P = .014). Recurrence of hepatitis B virus, hepatic dysfunction, and retransplantation were associated with increased mortality among patients who had a delayed CMV infection.     

Outcomes of Colonization with MRSA and VRE Among Liver Transplant Candidates and Recipients

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) infections cause significant morbidity and mortality among liver transplant candidates and recipients. To assess rates of MRSA and VRE colonization, we obtained active surveillance cultures from 706 liver transplant candidates and recipients within 24 h of admission to an 11-bed liver transplant ICU from October 2000 to December 2005. Patients were followed prospectively to determine the cumulative risk of MRSA or VRE infection or death by colonization status. Outcomes were assessed by Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and Cox regression and multivariate logistic regression adjusting for covariates. The prevalence of newly detected MRSA nasal and VRE rectal colonization was 6.7% and 14.6%, respectively. Liver transplant candidates and recipients with MRSA colonization had an increased risk of MRSA infection (adjusted OR = 15.64, 95% CI 6.63–36.89) but not of death (adjusted OR = 1.00, 95% CI 0.43–2.30), whereas those with VRE colonization had an increased risk both of VRE infection (adjusted OR = 3.61, 95% CI 2.01–6.47) and of death (adjusted OR = 2.12, 95% CI 1.27–3.54) compared with noncolonized patients. Prevention and control strategies, including use of active surveillance cultures, should be implemented to reduce the rates of both MRSA and VRE colonization in this high-risk patient population.     

Overview of resistant gram-positive pathogens in the surgical patient

Staphylococci and enterococci are the most common pathogens in surgical-site and bloodstream infections. The emergence of drug resistance among these gram-positive bacteria thus poses a substantial threat to patients with surgical infections. Resistance to methicillin/oxacillin is frequently observed in Staphylococcus aureus isolates and is often accompanied by multidrug resistance. Vancomycin is usually the treatment of choice for infections caused by methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), so the recent appearance of S. aureus isolated with intermediate sensitivity to vancomycin is cause for concern. Vancomycin resistance has already appeared in most species of enterococci. Infections caused by vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are associated with increased mortality compared to infections caused by vancomycin-sensitive isolates. Measures for preventing vancomycin resistance include reducing the use of vancomycin and other agents that appear to be associated with VRE, including third-generation cephalosporins and anti-anaerobic drugs. Third-generation cephalosporins have also been implicated in the increased prevalence of MRSA infections. Prudent use of existing antibiotics is an essential strategy for combating the rising tide of drug-resistant gram-positive pathogens.     

The impact of the prevention strategies on the indirect effects of CMV infection in solid organ transplant recipients

Transplant recipients receiving immunosuppressive therapy are at increased risk of active cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and disease. Without appropriate prophylaxis, as many as 80% of solid organ transplant recipients may experience CMV infection. In addition to the direct effects of CMV, infection may be associated with a range of indirect effects, including an increase in risk of other infections, as well as a higher incidence of rejection, graft loss and death. The indirect effects of CMV infection can vary depending on the transplanted organ. For example, CMV-infected kidney transplant recipients may be at increased risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, while CMV infection in liver transplant recipients may potentiate hepatitis C infection and increase the risk of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease. Indirect effects result from a number of pathological processes, including immune modulation and immunosuppression, generation of cytotoxic, pro-inflammatory responses, and smooth muscle proliferation. Prophylactic treatment with antiviral medication can reduce the risk of CMV disease, thereby improving graft survival and overall outcomes, particularly in kidney and heart transplant recipients. Antiviral prophylaxis should be considered for all patients at risk of CMV infection after solid organ transplantation. In this paper we review the main indirect effects of CMV infection in solid organ transplant recipients, and the impact of CMV prophylaxis on these effects.     

Pre-transplant risk factors predicting post-transplant cytomegalovirus infection in liver transplant recipients

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection causes significant morbidity and mortality among transplant recipients. Although it is still not clear if a preemptive strategy is superior to a prophylactic strategy, many transplant programs elect for preemptive treatment for post-transplant CMV infection. In order to improve the preemptive strategy, we analyzed a series of liver recipients by means of quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Ninety-one liver transplant recipients were monitored by real-time PCR for CMV, and the results were analyzed in terms of preoperative conditions. Multivariate analysis revealed fulminant hepatic failure as an underlying disease (odds ratio, 6.8; 95% CI, 1.2-39.2), while an ABO-incompatible graft (odds ratio, 5.0; 95% CI, 1.3-19.1), and a serological combination of the donor (D) being positive with the recipient (R) being negative for CMV (D+/R-) (odds ratio, 5.8; 95% CI, 1.3-26.0) were independently associated with the development of significant CMV infection. Patients with risk factors had higher peak CMV DNA concentrations than those without, and developed CMV infections faster (P = 0.0002). Screening of recipients according to risk factors and PCR monitoring may result in an optimization of the preemptive strategy.     

神经外科住院患者医院获得性感染病原菌结果回顾性分析

目的 回顾我院神经外科住院患者医院获得性感染病原菌结果,分析医院获得性感染病原菌分布特点及耐药性情况,为在医院获得性感染预防和诊治工作中提供依据。方法 收集我院2016年6月到2019年6月神经外科639例住院患者诊断为医院获得性感染738例的病原菌结果,分析不同病原菌特点及药敏结果。结果 738例医院获得性感染病例中医院获得性肺炎377例、泌尿系统感染130例、血流感染109例、中枢神经系统感染106例及其他部位感染16例。铜绿假单胞菌、鲍曼不动杆菌、大肠埃希菌、肺炎克雷伯菌、金黄色葡萄球菌为主要致病菌。临床常用重要抗菌药物中,大肠埃希菌和肺炎克雷伯菌对头孢曲松耐药率分别是62.1%和56.25%,对亚胺培南耐药率分别是2.01%和16.4%;铜绿假单胞菌耐药率≤30%;鲍曼不动杆菌除米诺环素外耐药率≥50%;金黄色葡萄球菌中耐甲氧西林率是61.29%,凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌耐甲氧西林率是79.23%,未发现葡萄球菌属对万古霉素、利奈唑胺和替加环素耐药;念珠菌属耐药率≤10%。结论 神经外科住院患者医院获得性感染以革兰阴性菌和葡萄球菌属为主,耐药情况严重,在临床预防和诊治中应根据不同病原菌特点及本院耐药监测结果合理使用抗菌药物。     

Interleukin-2 receptor antibody (basiliximab) for immunosuppressive induction therapy after liver transplantation: a protocol with early elimination of steroids and reduction of tacrolimus dosage.

A prospective evaluation was performed to study the potential benefits of the use of interleukin-2 receptor antibody (IL-2Rab) in the induction therapy with early elimination of steroid and reduction of tacrolimus dosage in liver transplant recipients among whom 94% had chronic hepatitis B infection. Thirty-one liver transplant recipients who underwent right-lobe live donor (n = 19) or cadaveric (n = 12) liver transplantation received IL-2Rab, basiliximab 20 mg intravenously within 6 hours of graft reperfusion and on postoperative day 4 (IL-2ab group). Two doses of steroid injection were given intraoperatively and on postoperative day 1. Postoperative immunosuppression was maintained with oral tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil without the use of steroids. The operative outcomes were compared with those of 49 patients who received standard immunosuppressive regimen consisting of tacrolimus and corticosteroid (steroid group). The overall postoperative morbidity and hospital stay were comparable between the 2 groups. There were significantly lower incidences of postoperative new-onset diabetes (0% vs 28%, P =.011), acute cellular rejection (6% vs 27%, P =.038), and cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigenemia (0% vs 18%, P =.011) in the IL-2Rab group compared with the steroid group. The blood cholesterol level at 6 months after transplantation was significantly lower in the IL-2Rab group (median, 4.0 vs 4.4 mmol/L, P =.007). On follow-up, none of the patients in the IL-2Rab group had hepatitis B viral breakthrough or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence, whereas 1 and 3 patients in the steroid group developed these complications, respectively. In conclusion, treatment of liver transplant recipients with IL-2Rab with early withdrawal of steroids and reduction of tacrolimus dosage is associated with lower incidences of postoperative new-onset diabetes, acute cellular rejection, and CMV antigenemia, as well as a lower serum cholesterol level. Further studies and long-term follow-up are required to document their potential benefits on hepatitis B and HCC recurrences.