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Prevalence of Infections in Infants Within the First 6 Months of Liver Transplant
Oya Balcı Sezer1, Zeren Barış, Zafer Ecevit
1From the Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
Insights
Klebsiella pneumoniae is the most frequent infection in infants after liver transplant. This finding suggests new antibiotic strategies are needed to prevent Klebsiella pneumoniae infections in this vulnerable population.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Transplant Surgery
- Microbiology
Background:
- Liver transplantation in infants is a complex procedure with a high risk of post-operative complications.
- Infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in pediatric liver transplant recipients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the most common infectious agents in infants within the first six months after liver transplantation.
- To inform the development of targeted prophylactic strategies.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective evaluation of 34 infant liver transplant recipients.
- Analysis of causative organisms from blood, catheter, urine, and drainage fluid cultures.
- Detection of Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus via polymerase chain reaction.
Main Results:
- Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most common bacteria isolated from bloodstream and intra-abdominal drainage fluid.
- Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most frequent isolate from subclavian catheter cultures.
- Cytomegalovirus infection was detected in only one recipient.
Conclusions:
- Klebsiella pneumoniae infections are highly prevalent in infants following liver transplantation.
- The study highlights the need for novel prophylactic antibiotic regimens to mitigate Klebsiella pneumoniae infections in this patient group.
Objectives:
In this retrospective study, we aimed to determine the most common infectious agents in infants within the first 6 months of liver transplant.
Materials And Methods:
Thirty-four infant patients with median age of 8 months (range, 4-12 mo) at the time of liver transplant were retrospectively evaluated. We evaluated causative organisms in bloodstream cultures and in subclavian catheter, urine, and intra-abdominal drainage fluid cultures. We also evaluated Epstein-Barr and cytomegalovirus infections by polymerase chain reaction in all recipients.
Results:
The most common isolated bacteria from the bloodstream were Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Enterococcus faecium. Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most common isolated bacteria from subclavian catheter cultures. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most common bacteria isolated from intra-abdominal drainage fluid. Only 1 recipient had cytomegalovirus infection during this period.
Conclusions:
Our study showed a high incidence of Klebsiella pneumoniae infections in infants after liver transplant. New prophylactic antibiotic strategies can be promoted to prevent Klebsiella pneumoniae infections in infants.
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