Gastrointestinal complications in renal transplant recipients: MITOS study

INTRODUCTION AND METHODS: An epidemiologic multicenter study was performed to evaluate the prevalence and management of gastrointestinal (GI) complications in solid organ transplant patients. A total of 1788 recipients were included, 1132 of which corresponded to renal transplanted patients. RESULTS: The mean age for the renal transplanted patients was 52 +/- 13.2 years. The mean time from the transplantation was 5.4 +/- 5.4 years. 17.7% showed some pretransplant GI disease, while 53% presented this type of complication in the posttransplant period. Diarrhea was the most prevalent GI complication (51.5%) and digestive perforation was the GI disorder that affected the patients daily living the most. From the patients with GI complications, 71% received pharmacological treatment, using gastric protectors in 91.3% of the cases. Regarding immunosuppressive drugs, in 30.9% of the cases the dose of the drug was reduced, in 9.3% discontinued temporarily and in 7.5% discontinued permanently. These changes mainly affected the MMF (89%, 83% and 74% for dose change, temporary and permanent discontinuation, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of GI complications in renal transplant exceeded 50%, and affected patients' daily living. The management of these complications was based on treatment with gastric protectors, dose reduction and/or partial or definitive MMF discontinuation.     

Gastrointestinal complications in heart transplant patients: MITOS study

INTRODUCTION: The most frequent immunosuppressive treatment complications in solid organ transplant recipients are gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational, cross-sectional study to evaluate the prevalence and management of GI complications in transplanted patients was conducted via a written questionnaire given to doctors at their practice. RESULTS: This study included 1788 patients; 181 corresponded to heart transplant recipients. The mean age for the heart transplant patients was 58.7 +/- 11.8 years. The mean time from the transplantation was 5.2 +/- 4.4 years. GI complications were seen in 38.7% of cases. Regarding the clinical management, in 72.9% of cases patients with GI complications received pharmacologic treatment, 86.3% with gastric protectors, 32.8% reduced the dose of some drug, 8.1% interrupted the drug temporarily, and 10.9% discontinued the drug permanently. The drug that was always discontinued was mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), and in 85.7% of cases in which the dose of an immunosuppressive drug was reduced, the reduced drug was also MMF. CONCLUSIONS: Almost 40% of heart transplant recipients suffered GI complications which affected daily activities in most cases. The most used strategy to manage these complications was based on a treatment with gastric protectors together with dose reduction and/or partial or definitive MMF discontinuation.     

Gastrointestinal complications in renal transplant recipients

Gastrointestinal complications are frequent in renal transplant recipients and can include oral lesions, esophagitis, peptic ulcer, diarrhea, colon disorders and malignancy. Oral lesions may be caused by drugs such as cyclosporine and sirolimus, by virus or fungal infections. Leukoplakia may develop in patients with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. The commonest esophageal disorder is represented by fungal esophagitis usually caused by candida. A number of patients may suffer from nausea, vomiting and gastric discomfort. These disorders are more frequent in patients treated with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). Peptic ulcer is more rare than in the past. Patients with a history of peptic ulcer are particularly prone to this complication. Other gastroduodenal disorders are caused by cytomegalovirus (CMV) and herpes simplex infection. Diarrhea is a frequent disorder which may be caused by pathogen microorganisms or by immunosuppressive agents. The differential diagnosis may be difficult. Colon disorders mainly consist of hemorrhage, usually sustained by CMV infection, or perforation which may be caused by diverticulitis or intestinal ischemia. Colon cancer, anal carcinoma, and EBV-associated lymphoproliferative disorders are particularly frequent in transplant recipients. A particular gastric lymphoma called mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma may develop in renal transplant patients. It usually responds to the eradication of Helicobacter pylori.     

Neurologic complications in adult living donor liver transplant recipients

BACKGROUND: Neurologic complications (NC) after liver transplantation are not uncommon, with serious complications such as central pontine myelinolysis (CPM), often causing disability. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the incidence and features of NC following liver transplantation in adult recipients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 319 adult patients who underwent liver transplantation between January 2004 and May 2005 at the Asan Medical Center. RESULTS: Neurologic complications developed in 49 of 319 patients (15.4%). Although most of these complications were minor, including tremor and foot drop, three patients developed CPM, and one each developed posterior leukoencephalopathy, cerebral hemorrhage, and cerebral infarction. One-yr survival rates were 95.9% in patients without NC and 83.7% in patients with NC (p = 0.004). Hospital stay was prolonged in patients with NC. Graft-to-recipient body weight ratio (GRWR) did not affect occurrence of NC. CONCLUSIONS: Neurologic complications were not uncommon in liver transplant recipients. These complications contributed to prolongation of hospital stay, increased in-hospital mortality, and decreased graft and patient survival. Every effort should be made to prevent NC, as well as to detect and treat them as soon as possible.     

Risk factors for postoperative respiratory complications in adult liver transplant recipients

To determine the types and the incidence of as well as risk factors for early postoperative (<30 days) respiratory complications in adult liver transplant (LT) recipients, we reviewed The data of 44 consecutive adult LT recipients who received their grafts from January 1995 through December 2002. The data included demographic features; primary diagnosis; number of intraoperative transfusions; preoperative and postoperative laboratory values; intraoperative and postoperative characteristics; and early postoperative (<30 days) mortality. Pulmonary atelectasis, pleural effusion, pneumonia, respiratory failure, and pulmonary edema were the respiratory complications investigated. Twenty-six patients (59.1%) developed at least one respiratory complication during the early postoperative period. The most frequent complication was pleural effusion (n = 18, 40.9%), followed by atelectasis (n = 13, 29.5%), pneumonia (n = 10, 22.7%), acute respiratory failure (n = 5, 11.4%), pulmonary edema (n = 3, 6.8%), and pneumothorax (n = 2, 4.5%). Compared to the patients who did not develop these problems, the affected cohort was significantly older (27 +/- 12 years vs 36 +/- 14 years, respectively; P =.039) and required more intraoperative transfusions (P =.005). Among the overall mortality rate of 15.9%, patients who developed pneumonia showed a significantly higher mortality (40.0% vs 8.8%, respectively; P =.037). Pleural effusion, atelectasis, and pneumonia are the main respriatory complications that occur in adult LT recipients. Patient age and intraoperative transfusion requirements are important predictors of early postoperative complications. Pneumonia is associated with a poor prognosis in this patient group.     

Fungal complications after Candida preservation fluid contamination in liver transplant recipients

Donor‐derived fungal infections can be associated with severe complications in transplant recipients. Donor‐derived candidiasis has been described in kidney transplant recipients where contamination of the preservation fluid (PF) was a commonly proposed source. In liver transplantation, these fungal infections have been less explored. The aim of this study was therefore to determine the incidence and clinical relevance of Candida contamination of preservation fluid in the context of liver transplantation. A 5‐year (2008–2012) retrospective multicentre study involving six French liver transplantation centers was performed to determine the incidence of Candida PF contamination. Postoperative clinical features, outcomes in recipients, and risk factors for Candida‐related complications of liver transplantation were studied. Candida sp. was isolated from 28 of 2107 preservation fluid samples (1.33%). Candida albicans was the most common yeast (n = 18, 64%). Twenty‐two recipients (78.5%) received antifungal therapy (echinocandins in 68%) for 7–37 days. Eight patients developed yeast‐related complications (28.6%) including hepatic artery aneurysms (n = 6) and Candida peritonitis (n = 2). The 1‐year mortality rate among patients after a yeast‐related complication was 62.5%. The incidence of Candida PF contamination was low, but was associated with dramatic postoperative complications and high mortality. Close radiological follow‐up may enable early recognition of the arterial complications associated with PF contamination by Candida.     

Pulmonary complications in heart transplant recipients

BACKGROUND: Heart transplantation is an important therapeutic option for patients with end-stage disease, but is associated with major pulmonary complications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the posttransplant follow-up of 34 orthotopic heart transplant recipients. RESULTS: Two of the 34 patients died of cardiac failure in the early postoperative period. Among the surviving patients, 10 (31.3%) developed pulmonary complications, all within the first 6 months: hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia in five, fungal pneumonia in three, posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease in one, and community-acquired pneumonia in one patient. None of the patients developed transplantation-related malignancy. The overall mortality was 35.3%. Pneumonia-related mortality rate of 14.7% was due to early-onset nosocomial pneumonias, which were caused by bacterial and opportunistic microorganisms. Extrapulmonary causes of mortality were cardiac failure, meningitis, septicemia, and acute rejection. Cytomegalovirus antigenemia in the first month was associated with a poor prognosis. The frequency of pulmonary complications was higher among older patients and those who developed moderate rejection in the first month (P=.014 and P=.036, respectively). CONCLUSION: Pulmonary infections after heart transplantation occurred more frequently during the first 6 months posttransplantation, accounting for a significant portion of the posttransplantation mortality.     

Infectious complications in renal transplant recipients

Renal transplantation has become a well-established therapeutic option for end-stage renal disease, but infectious diseases remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Although a wide variety of pathogens may cause infection, viral ones must be regarded as the single most important class of infections. Progress has been made both in the prevention and the early recognition treatment of infections that are closely linked to rejection. Immunosuppressive therapy is central to the pathogenesis of both. Because of the particular characteristics of transplant recipients, it is desirable to establish a close collaboration between nephrologists, surgeons, and infectious disease specialists for the management of these patients. In this article, we describe the different kinds of infectious disease that may affect patients with kidney transplant and the fundamental principles of clinical management, particularly our experience in Polyoma virus (BK) infection.     

Infectious complications in renal transplant recipients

Infectious complications present major challenges to physicians caring for renal transplant recipients. The high rate of infection reflects the net state of immunosuppression associated with end-stage renal disease, transplantation, donor and environmental exposure. An understanding of the factors that affect the patients' overall state of immunosuppression is essential to prevent and treat infectious complications, which may lead to significant morbidity, graft dysfunction, or mortality. Familiarity with the various pathogens, clinical presentation, diagnostic options, treatment, and prophylaxis is important to care for renal transplant patients. The authors present their approach, based on review of current literature, to these issues.     

Neurological complications in kidney transplant recipients

Neurological complications are frequent in renal transplant recipients and may largely contribute to morbidity and mortality. The postransplant neurological complications may be categorized into five areas: 1) Immunosuppressive medications, 2) stroke, 3) peripheral neuropathies, 4) infection, and 5) malignancies. A number of complications are directly caused by the neurotoxicity of immunosuppressive agents. Calcineurin-inhibitors may cause mild symptoms, such as tremors and paresthesia, or severe symptoms, such as disabling pain syndrome and leukoencephalopathy. Severe neurological syndromes may also be caused by the monoclonal antibody OKT3. Stroke may occur in about 8% of renal transplant patients. It may be favored by hypertension, diabetes, and accelerated atherosclerosis which may be acquired during dialysis or after transplantation. Peripheral mononeuritis and polyneuritis may also occur. An acute femoral neuropathy may occur in about 2% of patients as a result of nerve compression after operation. Guillain-Barré syndrome may also develop, triggered in some cases by cytomegalovirus (CMV) or Campylobacter jejuni infection. Lymphomas are the most frequent brain tumors. They are usually associated to a Epstein Barr virus (EBV) infection and are more frequent in patients who received an aggressive immunosuppressive therapy. Infection represents the most frequent neurological complication. Acute meningitis usually caused by Listeria monocytogenes, subacute and chronic meningitis caused by Cryptococcus neoformans, focal brain infection caused by Aspergillus fumigatus, Toxoplasma gondii or Nocardia asteroids, and progressive dementia caused by polyoma J virus or other viruses are the most frequent types of neurological infections.     

Infectious complications in renal transplant recipients

Post-kidney transplant infection is the most common life-threatening complication of long-term immunosuppressive therapy. Optimal immunosuppression, in which a balance is maintained between prevention of rejection and avoidance of infection, is the most challenging aspect of posttransplantation care. The study of infectious complications in immunologically compromised recipients is changing rapidly, particularly in the fields of prophylactic and preemptive strategies, molecular diagnostic methods, and antimicrobial agents. In addition, emerging pathogens such as BK polyomavirus and West Nile flavivirus infections and the introduction of newer immunosuppressive agents that constantly change the risk profiles for opportunistic infections has added layers of complexity to this burgeoning field. Although remarkable progress has been made in these disciplines, comprehensive understanding of the clinical manifestations of infections remains limited, and the standardization of prophylaxis, diagnosis, and treatment of most infections is yet inadequately defined. The long-term goal for optimal care of transplant recipients, with respect to infection, is the prevention and/or early recognition and treatment of infections while avoiding drug-related toxicities.     

Persistent fatigue in liver transplant recipients: a two-year follow-up study

Background:  Fatigue after liver transplantation (LTx) is a major problem that is associated with lower daily functioning and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study aimed to assess changes over time in fatigue following LTx. We also examined daily functioning and HRQoL changes over time and assessed the influence of fatigue and changes in fatigue on daily functioning and HRQoL. We determined whether sleep quality, anxiety, and depression were associated with fatigue.
Methods:  We identified 70 LTx recipients who had previously participated in a cross-sectional study and reassessed them after two yr to determine changes in level of fatigue, daily functioning, and HRQoL. We also assessed sleep quality, anxiety, and depression after two yr.
Results:  Level of fatigue and level of daily functioning were unchanged at follow-up. HRQoL domains remained stable or worsened. Fatigue was a significant predictor of daily functioning and all HRQoL domains (p < 0.01). Change in fatigue was a significant predictor of daily functioning and the HRQoL domains of "physical functioning,""vitality," and "pain" (p < 0.05). Sleep quality, anxiety, and depression were associated with fatigue severity (r = 0.35 to r = 0.60, p < 0.05).
Conclusion:  This longitudinal study shows that fatigue is a chronic problem after LTx and that daily functioning and HRQoL do not improve over time. This study supports the need for intervention programs to address fatigue after LTx.     

Antifungal prophylaxis in liver transplant recipients: a randomized placebo-controlled study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of two antifungal prophylaxis regimens in liver transplant recipients. One hundred and twenty-nine consecutive recipients were randomized to receive sequential treatment with intravenous liposomal amphotericin B + oral itraconazole, intravenous fluconazole + oral itraconazole, or intravenous and oral placebo. Frequency and incidence of mycotic colonization, local and systemic infection of mycotic origin, causes of death, and possible risk factors for mycotic infection were evaluated. The incidence of mycotic colonization was higher in the placebo group ( P<0.01), but there was no significant difference in the incidence of infection between the three groups. Pre-transplant colonization, severity of liver disease, and graft rejection were all risk factors for the development of fungal infection. The routine use of antifungal prophylaxis for all liver transplant recipients does not seem to be justified.     

Infection in liver transplant recipients

Despite the advances in liver transplantation, infection continues to be a major problem, with an incidence greater than that observed in other solid organ transplantations. The risk of infection is largely determined by the patient's preoperative condition, operative factors, and the status of immunosuppression. Here we describe the current understanding of bacterial, viral, and fungal infection in patients who underwent liver transplantation.