Outcome of HCV/HIV-coinfected liver transplant recipients: a prospective and multicenter cohort study

Eighty-four HCV/HIV-coinfected and 252-matched HCV-monoinfected liver transplant recipients were included in a prospective multicenter study. Thirty-six (43%) HCV/HIV-coinfected and 75 (30%) HCV-monoinfected patients died, with a survival rate at 5 years of 54% (95% CI, 42-64) and 71% (95% CI, 66 to 77; p = 0.008), respectively. When both groups were considered together, HIV infection was an independent predictor of mortality (HR, 2.202; 95% CI, 1.420-3.413 [p < 0.001]). Multivariate analysis of only the HCV/HIV-coinfected recipients, revealed HCV genotype 1 (HR, 2.98; 95% CI, 1.32-6.76), donor risk index (HR, 9.48; 95% CI, 2.75-32.73) and negative plasma HCV RNA (HR, 0.14; 95% CI, 0.03-0.62) to be associated with mortality. When this analysis was restricted to pretransplant variables, we identified three independent factors (HCV genotype 1, pretransplant MELD score and centers with <1 liver transplantation/year in HIV-infected patients) that allowed us to identify a subset of 60 (71%) patients with a similar 5-year prognosis (69%[95% CI, 54-80]) to that of HCV-monoinfected recipients. In conclusion, 5-year survival in HCV/HIV-coinfected liver recipients was lower than in HCV-monoinfected recipients, although an important subset with a favorable prognosis was identified in the former.

Bacterial urinary tract infection after solid organ transplantation in the RESITRA cohort

BACKGROUND

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common infection in renal transplant patients, but it is necessary to determine the risk factors for bacterial UTI in recipients of other solid organ transplants (SOTs), as well as changes in etiology, clinical presentation, and prognosis.

METHODS

In total, 4388 SOT recipients were monitored in 16 transplant centers belonging to the Spanish Network for Research on Infection in Transplantation (RESITRA). The frequency and characteristics of bacterial UTI in transplant patients were obtained prospectively from the cohort (September 2003 to February 2005).

RESULTS

A total of 192 patients (4.4%) presented 249 episodes of bacterial UTI (0.23 episodes per 1000 transplantation days); 156 patients were kidney or kidney-pancreas transplant recipients, and 36 patients were liver, heart, and lung transplant recipients. The highest frequency was observed in renal transplants (7.3%). High frequency of cystitis versus pyelonephritis without related mortality was observed in both groups. The most frequent etiology was Escherichia coli (57.8%), with 25.7% producing extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL). In all transplants but renal, most cases occurred in the first month after transplantation. Cases were uniformly distributed during the first 6 months after transplantation in renal recipients. Age (odds ratio [OR] per decade 1.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-1.17), female gender (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.42-2.13), and the need for immediate post-transplant dialysis (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.29-2.05) were independent variables associated with bacterial UTI in renal and kidney-pancreas recipients. The independent risk factors identified in non-renal transplants were age (OR per decade 1.79, 95% CI 1.09-3.48), female gender (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.43-2.49), and diabetes (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.001-1.040).

CONCLUSIONS

UTI was frequent in renal transplants, but also not unusual in non-renal transplants. Because E. coli continues to be the most frequent etiology, the emergence of ESBL-producing strains has been identified as a new problem. In both populations, most cases were cystitis without related mortality. Although the first month after transplantation was a risk period in all transplants, cases were uniformly distributed during the first 6 months in renal transplants. Age and female gender were identified as risk factors for UTI in both populations. Other particular risk factors were the need for immediate post-transplant dialysis in renal transplants and diabetes in non-renal transplants.

Therapy with m-TOR inhibitors decreases the response to the pandemic influenza A H1N1 vaccine in solid organ transplant recipients

Concern has been raised regarding the response to vaccination in solid organ transplant recipients (SOTR) undergoing immunosuppressant regimens and the possibility of rejection related to the immune response associated with pandemic influenza H1N1-2009 vaccination. The goal of this study was to assess the immunogenicity, efficacy and safety of the pandemic vaccine in SOTR. We performed a multicenter prospective study in SOTR receiving the pandemic vaccine. Immunological response was determined in serum 5 weeks after vaccination by microneutralization assays, and immunoglobulins were measured by ELISA. Three hundred and forty-six SOTR were included. Preexisting seroprotection was detected in 13.6% of cases and rates of seroconversion and seroprotection after vaccination were 73.1% and 82.9%, respectively. Patients with baseline antibody titers had better geometric mean titers (GMT)-post after pandemic vaccination (339.4 vs. 121.4, p < 0.001). Younger age, liver disease and m-TOR inhibitor therapy were independently associated with lower seroprotection and GMT-post. There were no major adverse effects or rejection episodes. Pandemic vaccine was safe in SOTR and elicited an adequate response, although lower than in healthy individuals. This is the first study describing a decreased response after vaccination in patients receiving mTOR inhibitors who presented lower seroprotection rates and lower GMT-post.

Different secretory response of pancreatic isolated lobules and dissociated acini from hypothyroid rats to exogen TRH

This paper analyses the effect of hypothyroidism on pancreatic TRH and somatostatin concentrations, as well as the action of exogen TRH on pancreatic amylase secretion from isolated lobules and dissociated acini of both healthy and hypothyroid rats. In the hypothyroid group, pancreatic TRH and somatostatin increased. In the pancreatic lobules of untreated animals, bethanechol produced stimulatory action that was inhibited by TRH. On the other hand, lobules from hypothyroid rats did not respond to bethanechol stimulation. Acini amylase secretion after bethanechol stimulation was similar in both groups, although hypothyroid animals were more sensitive to the inhibitory effect of TRH. These findings suggest the existence of a factor blocking the amylase secretion in pancreatic lobules. This agent, probably TRH, could be eliminated in the experimental model of dissociated acini.

Epidemiology of invasive fungal infection

Invasive fungal infection is a growing cause of morbidity and mortality in immunosuppressed patients. Furthermore, the use of azole prophylaxis against Candida species has coincided with an increase in the incidence of invasive aspergillosis and infections by other filamentous fungi such as Mucorales. New risk factors and different timescales for onset have been identified. Knowledge of changes in the epidemiology of, and risk factors for, invasive fungal infection is particularly important when developing therapeutic strategies and effective prophylaxis to improve the prognosis of immunosuppressed patients.

Incidence, clinical characteristics and risk factors of late infection in solid organ transplant recipients: data from the RESITRA study group

Information describing the incidence and clinical characteristics of late infection (LI) in solid organ transplantation (SOT) is scarce. The aim of this study was to define the incidence, clinical characteristics and risk factors for LI (>6 months) as compared with infection in the early period (<6 months) after SOT. By the online database of the Spanish Network of Infection in Transplantation (RESITRA) we prospectively analyzed 2702 SOT recipients from September 2003 to February 2005. Univariate and multivariate analysis using logistic regression were performed to calculate the risk factors associated with the development of LI. A total of 131 patients developed 176 LI episodes (8%). Global incidence of LI was 0.4 per 1000 transplant-days, ranging from 0.3/1000 in kidney transplants to 1.4 in lung transplants. Independent risk factors for LI in were: acute rejection in the early period (OR 1.5; CI 95%: 1.1-2.3), chronic graft malfunction (OR 2; CI 95%: 1.4-3), re-operation (OR 1.9; CI 95%: 1.3-2.8) relapsing viral infection apart from CMV (OR 1.9; CI 95%: 1.1-3.5), previous bacterial infection (OR 1.8; CI 95%: 1.2-2.6) and lung transplantation (OR 4.5; CI 95%: 2.6-7.8). Severe LI occurs in a subgroup of high-risk SOT recipients who deserve a more careful follow-up and could benefit from prolonged prophylactic measures similar to that performed in the early period after transplantation.

Infliximab does not activate replication of lymphotropic herpesviruses in patients with refractory rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE

The reactivation of human lymphotropic herpesviruses can be related to the intensity of immunosuppression. We analysed the risk of reactivation of lymphotropic herpesviruses in patients with refractory rheumatoid arthritis treated with an anti-tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) agent (infliximab).

METHODS

Fifteen patients were treated with infliximab (3 mg/kg) at weeks 0, 2 and 6. Samples of both plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were obtained before treatment (week 0) and before each infusion at weeks 2 and 6. Samples were analysed using a multiplex qualitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for lymphotropic herpesviruses. Quantification of cytomegalovirus (CMV) viral load (copies/ml) was performed using quantitative PCR. Reactivation was defined as the presence of viral DNA in plasma. Latent infection was defined as the presence of viral DNA in PBMC samples but not in plasma.

RESULTS

On baseline, latent CMV infection was detected in eight patients (53.3%), human herpesviruses-6 (HHV-6) in two (13.3%), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in seven (46.6%), CMV + HHV-6 in one (6.6%), CMV + EBV in two (13.3%) and HHV-6 + EBV in one (6.6%). Viral reactivation related to infliximab treatment was not observed. There was only one patient who had HHV-6 reactivation, but this was already detected in the baseline sample.

CONCLUSIONS

Infliximab treatment does not induce replication of human lymphotropic herpesviruses in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Thus, herpesviruses prophylaxis would not be indicated in these patients.

Risk factors for invasive aspergillosis in solid-organ transplant recipients: a case-control study

BACKGROUND

To facilitate the design of strategies for prevention of invasive aspergillosis in solid-organ transplant recipients, this study investigates whether the development of early-onset and late-onset aspergillosis are related to different risk factors, thereby distinguishing 2 risk populations for this serious complication.

METHODS

A retrospective case-control study was performed, including 156 cases of proven or probable invasive aspergillosis in patients recruited from 11 Spanish centers since the start of the centers' transplantation programs.

RESULTS

Among all patients, 57% had early-onset IA (i.e., occurred during the first 3 months after transplantation). Risk factor analysis in this group identified as significantly associated risk factors a more complicated postoperative period, repeated bacterial infections or cytomegalovirus disease, and renal failure or the need for dialysis. Among patients with late-onset infections (i.e., occurred > 3 months after transplantation), who comprised 43% of cases, the patients at risk were older, were in an overimmunosuppressed state because of chronic transplant rejection or allograft dysfunction, and had posttransplantation renal failure.

CONCLUSIONS

Risk factors in patients with early-onset cases and patients with late-onset cases of posttransplantation invasive aspergillosis are not the same, a fact that could have implications for the preventive approaches used for this infection.

Consensus conference on chronic viral hepatitis and HIV infection: updated Spanish recommendations

Chronic hepatitis B and C represent a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients worldwide. New treatment options against both hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) viruses have prompted us to update previous recommendations for the management of coinfected individuals. Fifteen topics (nine related to HCV, five to HBV and one to both viruses) were selected for this purpose. A panel of Spanish experts in the field was invited to review these areas and propose specific recommendations, which were scored according to the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) grading system. These guidelines represent a comprehensive and updated overview on the management of hepatitis B and C in HIV-infected patients.

Pre-emptive oral ganciclovir can reduce the risk of cytomegalovirus disease in liver transplant recipients

A cohort of 65 liver transplant recipients was prospectively monitored with qualitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in plasma. The first 25 patients did not receive prophylaxis. From a consecutive group of 40 recipients, 11 high-risk patients donor CMV-seropositive/receptor CMV-seronegative (D+/R-), persistent CMV replication) received pre-emptive oral ganciclovir (1000 mg three times daily), when a marker of risk was identified, until day 90. The overall incidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease at six months was 20% (five of 25 patients) in the non-prophylaxis group and 2.5% (one of 40 patients) in the group treated with pre-emptive oral ganciclovir (relative risk, 0.11; 95% confidence interval; 0.01-0.96; P = 0.04). The PCR sensitivity for detecting CMV disease was 80%, the specificity was 90%, and the positive and negative predictive values were 66% and 95%, respectively. Adverse events, graft rejection and survival were similar between groups. We conclude that pre-emptive oral ganciclovir in high-risk patients can reduce the risk of CMV disease.

High mortality related with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia after liver transplantation

The aim of the present study was to analyze the characteristics of bacteremia occurring in liver-transplant patients in Andalusia, Spain, during the 1990s. At the three participating hospitals, 405 liver transplantations were performed during the study period, and 119 bacteremic episodes were observed following 91 of them (22.4%, 29.4 episodes/100 liver transplants). Gram-positive organisms were the predominant bacteria isolated in cases of early-onset bacteremia (70.7%, P=0.04). The most common sources of bacteremia were the abdomen (33.6%) and intravascular catheters (22.7%), but frequently the source of bacteremia was unknown (31.9%). Mortality at 30 days was 21%. Isolation of Staphylococcus aureus was the only independent risk factor for mortality (relative risk, 3.13; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-7.5; P=0.01). These results indicate that control measures are required in order to reduce the incidence of gram-positive bacteremia and catheter-related infection in this patient population. The observed etiology must be considered when empirical antimicrobial therapy is indicated while awaiting blood-culture results.

Impact of highly active antiretroviral therapy on fever of unknown origin in HIV-infected patients

In order to assess the impact of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on the frequency and etiology of fever of unknown origin in HIV-infected patients, a retrospective study was performed on cases of fever of unknown origin observed from January 1997 to December 1999 in seven hospitals in five cities in Andalusia, Spain. During the period specified, a total of 4,858 HIV-infected patients receiving HAART and 2,787 HIV-infected individuals not receiving HAART were studied. The frequency of fever of unknown origin was 0.6% in patients receiving HAART and 3% in non-HAART patients (P=0.001). Human immunodeficiency virus infection was the only cause of fever found more frequently in the non-HAART patient group (P=0.07). The study findings suggest that the use of HAART has reduced the frequency of fever of unknown origin in HIV-infected patients, but the etiology of the condition remains mostly unchanged.

Factors associated with the development of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-seronegative adult liver transplant recipients

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is recognized as the principal aetiological factor in the pathogenesis of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD), particularly when primary EBV infection occurs after transplantation. We analysed, using a time-dependent proportional hazards model, the factors associated with development of PTLD in 40 adult liver transplant recipients who were seronegative for EBV prior to transplantation. Of 40 patients, 13 (33%) had a tissue diagnosis of PTLD at a median time of 126 days after transplantation. The multivariate analysis showed that prior CMV disease, the number of steroid boluses given and the number of units of RBC and FFP transfused were significant risk factors for development of PTLD.