title: The incidence and importance of bacterial contaminants of cadaveric renal perfusion fluid.
abstract: Infections represent a significant risk in the postoperative transplant recipient. The perfusion fluid used to perfuse and preserve the kidneys prior to transplantation represents a potential medium in which organisms can grow. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and clinical relevance of bacterial contamination of perfusion fluid. A total of 4 centres participated in the study and 269 perfusion fluid samples were taken for microbiological analysis. Organisms were isolated from 38 out of 218 (17.4%) perfusion fluid samples taken prior to allograft implantation and 23 out of 51 (45%) samples taken at procurement. Low virulence organisms predominated although Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli were also isolated. Although infective complications were not seen in the allograft recipients, given the frequency with which contamination occurs and the variation in unit antibiotic protocols, we recommend the routine culturing of perfusion fluid to ensure that any potentially significant organisms are identified and treated appropriately.
authors.affiliation: Renal Transplant Unit, Royal Infirmary, 51 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4SA, UK, Sonia.Wakelin@btinternet.com
authors.forename: Sonia J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Wakelin
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Casey
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Friend
authors.forename: Bryon C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Jaques
authors.forename: Hester
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yorke
authors.forename: Sue P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Rigden
authors.forename: Xavier F S
authors.initials: XF
authors.lastname: Emmanuel
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pareja-Cebrian
authors.forename: John L R
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Forsythe
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Morris
mesh_terms: D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001769:Blood / Q000382:microbiology; D002102:Cadaver; D004340:Drug Contamination; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D019188:Organ Preservation Solutions; D010477:Perfusion; D010537:Peritoneum / Q000382:microbiology; D011300:Preoperative Care; D014019:Tissue Donors; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement
chemical_list: D019188:Organ Preservation Solutions