Abstract
BackgroundDrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii has become a major problem in liver transplant recipients. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical presentation, distribution, and drug susceptibility characteristics in liver recipients with A. baumannii infection.MethodsWe retrospectively investigated 17 liver recipients who developed A. baumannii infection between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2014. The distribution of A. baumannii and drug susceptibility characteristics were reviewed.ResultsInfectious complications due to A. baumannii appeared in 17 liver recipients, with a total of 24 episodes. Approximately 63% (15/24) of A. baumannii infections occurred within 2 weeks after transplantation. The most common source of infection was multiple culture-positive sites (35.3%, n=6), followed by the intra-abdominal/biliary tract (23.5%, n=4) and lung (23.5%, n=4). Eight patients (47.1%) had a body temperature of 38°C or higher at the onset of A. baumannii infection. Nine, seven, and 12 recipients had a serum creatinine level of >1.5 mg/dL, a white blood cell count of >15,000/mm3, and a platelet count of <50,000/mm3, respectively. There were five (29.4%) cases of septic shock and eight (47.1%) deaths. The rate of antibiotic resistance of A. baumannii to ten of 12 antibiotics investigated was more than 60%. Among the 24 infections caused by A. baumannii, 75% were carbapenem-resistant. The rods were relatively sensitive to tigecycline and cefoperazone-sulbactam.ConclusionThe clinical manifestations of A. baumannii infection included a high body temperature, a decreased platelet count, an elevated white blood cell count, and onset in the early period after transplantation as well as high mortality. The antibiotic resistance rate of A. baumannii was extremely high. Prevention measures and combination antibiotic therapy are needed to improve the outcomes of liver recipients with A. baumannii infections.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
