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Rotavirus enteritis in solid organ transplant recipients: an underestimated problem?
I Stelzmueller1, S Wiesmayr, B R Swenson
1Department of General and Transplant Surgery, Innsbruck University Hospital, Innsbruck, Austria.
Insights
Rotavirus (RV) infection can cause severe diarrhea in solid organ transplant recipients, particularly children. While often self-limiting, RV enteritis can prolong hospitalization due to fluid and electrolyte loss.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Transplantation Medicine
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Diarrhea is a significant complication in solid organ transplant recipients, associated with high morbidity and mortality.
- Rotavirus (RV) typically affects young children but can also cause severe diarrhea in immunocompromised adults.
- Investigating RV prevalence and outcomes in transplant patients is crucial for managing post-transplant complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of Rotavirus (RV) infections in adult and pediatric solid organ transplant recipients.
- To analyze the clinical outcomes and characteristics of RV enteritis in this vulnerable patient population.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective analysis was conducted on solid organ transplant recipients diagnosed with RV-related enteritis.
- The study included patients with a minimum of one year of follow-up, spanning from 2000 to 2004.
- Data from a single center was analyzed to assess RV infection prevalence and outcomes.
Main Results:
- Rotavirus infection was identified in 1.5% (19/1303) of solid organ transplant recipients, with a higher prevalence in liver recipients (14/19).
- Pediatric liver recipients showed the highest infection rate (52%), while adult infections occurred during initial hospitalization or as late-onset cases.
- All RV infections were self-limiting but resulted in prolonged hospital stays due to severe fluid and electrolyte loss.
Conclusions:
- Rotavirus enteritis is a notable infection in pediatric solid organ transplant recipients.
- Adult solid organ transplant recipients are also susceptible to RV infections, necessitating clinical awareness and management strategies.
Background:
Diarrhea in solid organ transplantation can be a complication with a high morbidity and mortality. Rotavirus (RV) infection normally occurs in children up to 3 years of age and often presents with severe diarrhea; however, it can also affect adults. We investigated the prevalence and outcome of RV infections in both adult and pediatric patients after solid organ transplantation.
Patients And Methods:
Retrospective analysis of RV-related enteritis in solid organ transplant recipients with a minimum of a 1-year follow-up from a single center between 2000 and 2004.
Results:
Within our cohort of 1303 solid organ transplants, RV infection was observed in 19 patients (1.5%); 14 of these were liver recipients. Infection was most prevalent among pediatric liver recipients, with 52% (11/21) of the children affected. Five adults acquired the infection during their initial hospitalization. Two adult patients had to be readmitted following late-onset RV infection. In all cases, infection was self-limiting, but led to prolonged hospitalization because of significant loss of fluids and electrolytes.
Conclusions:
RV enteritis is a common infection in pediatric solid organ recipients but may also affect adult patients.
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