The risk factors for mortality in deceased donor liver transplant recipients with bloodstream infections.

BACKGROUND

Information on risk factors for mortality among deceased donor liver transplant recipients with bloodstream infections (BSIs) was sought using a retrospective analysis from January 2002 to January 2012.

METHODS

We performed deceased donor liver transplantations in 135 subjects who experienced 77 episodes of BSIs. We assessed risk factors for mortality among 43 of them using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

The 43 recipients (31.9%) who developed BSI showed a mean age of 45.1 (45.1 ± 14.1 years). The majority of infections were nosocomial in origin (97.7%), with more than half being polymicrobial (53.5%). There were 24 deaths among these recipients (55.8%). The univariate analysis identified the following variables as risk factors for BSI-related mortality: polymicrobial (P = .029), platelet count <50,000/mm(3) (P = .02), creatinine > 1.5 mg/dL (P = .008), and septic shock (P < .001). Multivariate logistic regression showed the independent risk factors for mortality to be a serum creatinine > 1.5 mg/dL and septic shock.

CONCLUSION

The risk factors significantly associated with increased mortality in deceased donor liver transplant recipients with BSIs are higher serum creatinine levels and septic shock. Despite appropriate antimicrobial treatment, BSIs accompanied by septic shock or higher serum creatinine levels were associated with high mortality rates. It is therefore essential to protect renal function to reduce the incidence of BSIs.