Risk factors for early bacterial infections in liver transplantation

Our aim was to determine perioperative risk factors for early bacterial infection after liver transplantation.

Retrospectively examining medical records using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) definitions to identify nosocomial infections, we analyzed data on 367 adult patients.

The incidence of infection was 37.3% (n = 137): namely, surgical site (n = 74; 20.2%) [corrected], blood stream (n = 64; 17.4%), pulmonary (n = 49; 13.4%), urinary system (n = 26; 7.1%). Significant risk factors within the first 30 days were as follows: deceased donor, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) >20, albumin level <2.8 g/dL, intraoperative erythrocyte transfusion >6 U, intraoperative fresh frozen plasma >12 U, bilioenteric anastomosis, postoperative intensive care unit stay >6 days, and postoperative length of stay >21 days. Significant risk factors detected within the first 90 days were as follows: MELD >20, preoperative length of stay >7 days, reoperation, postoperative length of intensive care unit stay >6 days, and postoperative length of stay >21 days. Variability was observed in risk factors according to localization of infection. As a result, except for MELD, type of donor, and biliary anastomosis, the others are preventable factors for early bacterial infection. In addition, the same risk factors showed variability according to the site of infection.