Fungal infection following orthotopic liver transplantation: report of 43 cases / 中国普通外科杂志

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo improve the diagnosis, treatment and prophylaxis of fungal infections following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Methods Medical records from 175 consecutive patients who underwent 180 OLT at our centre from 1993 and 2002 were retrospectively reviewed for fungal infection. ResultsTwenty nine patients(16 6%) developed invasive fungal infection. Median posttransplantation interval was 26 days (range 3 to 96) and respiratory tract was the most common infectious site (37%). Pathogens were Candida species (24 of 43, 98%) and Aspergillus (1 of 43, 2%). Fungal infections occurred significantly more often in patients with the length of time in parenteral nutrition, antibiotic use over 3 weeks or hepatic artery complications. After treatment with Fluconazole (26 patients) and liposomal amphotericin B (8 patients with serious fungal infections), 16 patients were cured and 13 patients died. The mortality related to fungal infection was 4 0% (7/175). Conclusion Fungal infections are associated with mortality following OLT. Eliminating the various risk factors will decrease the incidence of fungal infection. Amphotericin B or liposomal amphoterin B are effective for patients with serious fungal infection.