Bloodstream Infection After Pancreas Transplants
Author Information
Author(s): Natalie Berger, Sigmund Guggenbichler, Wolfgang Steurer, Christian Margreiter, Gert Mayer, Reinhold Kafka, Walter Mark, Alexander R. Rosenkranz, Raimund Margreiter, Hugo Bonatti
Primary Institution: Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
Hypothesis
What are the rates and sources of bloodstream infections following pancreas transplantation?
Conclusion
Sepsis is a serious complication after pancreas transplantation that significantly reduces pancreas graft survival but does not affect patient survival.
Supporting Evidence
- Sepsis was diagnosed in 35 patients, accounting for 16% of the sample.
- The most common source of sepsis was intraabdominal infection.
- Patients with bloodstream infections had a two-year pancreas graft survival of 76.5% compared to 89.4% for those without.
- Gram positive cocci were the predominant pathogens isolated from blood cultures.
- Donor age and type II diabetes were significant risk factors for developing sepsis.
- Overall infection rate was 59%, with sepsis being the third most common infection.
- Immunosuppression protocols may increase the risk of infections post-transplant.
- Technical failures were the most common cause of graft loss.
Takeaway
After getting a pancreas transplant, some patients get infections in their blood, which can make it harder for the new pancreas to work, but it doesn't usually make them die.
Methodology
Retrospective analysis of 217 consecutive pancreas transplants performed from 1997 to 2004.
Potential Biases
Potential biases in patient selection and reporting of infections.
Limitations
The study is retrospective and may not account for all variables affecting infection rates.
Participant Demographics
Median age of recipients was 41.9 years, with a male to female ratio of 133 to 84.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.036
Statistical Significance
p = 0.036
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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