Infections after liver transplantation in adults: data from a university hospital in southern Brazil (1996-2000).
BACKGROUND
Infections after liver transplantations are the most important cause of morbi-mortality. In this study, we assessed the main characteristics of these infections in a southern Brazilian university hospital.


METHODS
We conducted a retrospective cohort with 55 patients who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation between 1996 and 2000 in the "Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre", Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil, to characterize the infections that occurred in the group.


RESULTS
One or more infections (average 2.10) were diagnosed in 47 patients, especially during the first month after transplantation. The most common were bacteremia, intra-abdominal infections and pneumonia, predominantly with bacteria, especially Staphylococcus sp (and particularly S. aureus) and E. coli. The mortality rate attributed to infections was high: 17 cases of all deaths (total 27 deaths). Significant risk factors for infections included reoperation, diabetes, biliary stenosis and higher Child-Pugh scores.


CONCLUSIONS
Infections remain a severe threat in liver transplant patients, and special efforts should be made to prevent and manage them correctly.
Souza
Mônica Vinhas de
MV
Emergency Unit, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. vsmonica@uol.com.br
Barth
Afonso Luis
AL
Alvares-da-Silva
Mário Reis
MR
Machado
Adão Rogério Leal
AR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000401:mortality*