title: Case reviews of infections of the spine in patients with a history of solid organ transplantation.
abstract: METHODS
  Retrospective clinical case series.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To report on the epidemiological, microbiological, and clinical characteristics of spinal infections in patients who have undergone solid organ transplantation.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Spine infections remain a therapeutic challenge, particularly in patients who are immunocompromised. Solid organ transplant patients represent a growing population of immunocompromised hosts. To our knowledge, no previous reports have examined the clinical characteristics spinal infections in this at-risk population in a systematic fashion.
  
  
  METHODS
  The records of patients with a history of solid organ transplantation from January 2007 through December 2012 were identified using Current Procedural Terminology procedure codes. Patients with spine infections who have received transplants were then identified using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes for spine infection. In addition to demographic data, we recorded medical comorbidities, immunosuppressant medications, laboratory results, culture data, treatment received, and short-term results.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During this 6-year period, 2764 solid organ transplants were performed at our institution. Of this cohort, 6 patients (0.22%) were treated for a spinal infection. Patient's age ranged from 51 to 80 years (mean, 63 yr). All spine infections occurred within 1 year after organ transplantation. All patients had an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Only 1 patient had an elevated white blood cell count. The most common organisms were Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus. Four patients required surgical treatment. All patients had complete resolution of symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data suggest that patients with a history of solid organ transplantation may be more susceptible to developing spine infections than the general population. The most common organisms in our cohort were E. coli and Staphylococcus. Spine infections caused by atypical organisms do also occur in the organ transplant population, as is the case in other immunocompromised patients. The identification of these organisms and timely institution of treatment remains critical in the management of this at-risk population.
  
  
  METHODS
  4.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Orthopaedics, Jackson Health System/University of Miami, Miami, FL.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Falakassa
authors.forename: Brandon P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Hirsch
authors.forename: Robert P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Norton
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mendez-Zfass
authors.forename: Frank J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Eismont
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D015299:Discitis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D015994:Incidence; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016377:Organ Transplantation; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012306:Risk; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D013166:Spondylitis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents