title: [Effect of adjusting the immunosuppressants on the prognosis of the infection in the patients with liver transplantation].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the method of adjusting the immunosuppressants in serious infection after liver transplantation.
  
  
  METHODS
  With reference to sepsis-related organ failure assessment (SOFA), 2005.1-2007.12, when the patient's score > or =15, the immunosuppressants were withdrawn, and the patients were given powerful antibiotics and the other treatments in combination. They were further divided into two groups, SOFA 15-17 (group A, 10 cases) and > or =18 (group B, 16 cases). They were compared, and also with the patients without stoppage of immunosuppressants (group C, 13 cases, 2003.3-2004.12). After withdrawing the immunosuppressant, the rejection incidence and times, the changes in SOFA score and mortality and their relationships were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After adjusting the immunosuppressant and with control of serious infections, rejection occurred in 9 patients, with 5 cases in group A (50.0%), 4 in B (25.0%), none in C. The differences among groups showed statistically significant difference (chi(2)=8.0, P=0.02), but no difference was seen between group A and B (chi(2)=1.70, P=0.19). When the rejection developed, the SOFA score decreased obviously (9.78+/-3.14 vs. 17.22+/-1.86, t=6.10, P=0.00). The time of rejection was (17.56+/-2.60) days after stopping the immunosuppressant. All 25 deaths were due to serious infection with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, but not rejection. Five deaths occurred in group A (50.0%), 7 in B (43.8%), 13 in C (100.0%). Not a single patient with rejection died from infection. Proper adjustment of the immunosuppressants could decrease the mortality (chi(2)=7.60, P=0.02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SOFA score could be used to guide the adjustment of the immunosuppressants, when SOFA> or =15, the immunosuppressants could be stopped, which would not increase the rejection incidence and decrease mortality. The lower the SOFA score is, the faster the patients recuperate better, but more rejection develops. In order to adjust the immunosuppressant in time, the period with high SOFA score should be shortened.
authors.affiliation: Liver Disease Center of the PLA, the 458th Hospital of the PLA, Guangzhou 510600, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Shu-ren
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Xian-rong
authors.initials: XR
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Xiao-ping
authors.initials: XP
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Li-min
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Xin-yun
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Zhou-yao
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Yu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007239:Infections / Q000628:therapy*; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents