Survival experience of peritoneal dialysis patients with human immunodeficiency virus: a 17-year retrospective study.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related renal disease is the third-leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) among African Americans aged 20-64 years. The number of HIV-infected (HIV+) patients reaching ESRD will increase exponentially over the next decade. Because of significant improvements in therapy and management during the last ten years, survival of HIV+ patients has improved. The survival experience of very long-term HIV+ peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients remains to be investigated. The objective of the present study was to examine the important differences in clinical and laboratory parameters between HIV+ and HIV-negative (HIV-) PD patients. To assess the factors associated with better survival in HIV+ PD patients, we retrospectively reviewed the charts of 488 PD patients, including 53 HIV+ patients, for the period 1987 to September 2004. We collected demographic, clinical, and laboratory data, including CD4 cell counts and history of hospitalizations and peritonitis. Maximum survival of HIV+ PD patients was 12.5 years as compared with 15.87 years in HIV-patients. Not surprisingly, HIV was a strong independent predictor of mortality in PD patients [relative risk (RR) = 3.09, p < 0.0001]. In HIV+ patients, higher CD4 counts at the initiation of dialysis were strongly associated with better survival (RR = 0.10 and p < 0.0001, > or =200 cells/mm3 vs. < or =50 cells/mm3). In univariate analysis, use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) was associated with significantly improved survival in HIV+ PD patients. Patients treated with I or 2 drugs had a 4.3-times higher mortality risk than those who received HAART therapy (p = 0.012). Independent associations were seen between HIV and younger age, African American race, male sex, and lower serum albumin. The rates of hospitalization (p < 0.0001) and peritonitis (p < 0.01) were significantly higher in HIV+ patients than in HIV-patients. Very long-term survival of HIV+ patients with chronic renal failure is possible on PD therapy. Morbidity and mortality of these patients may be improved with HAART therapy, better nutrition, and treatment of peritonitis.

Hepatic abscess after liver transplantation: 1990-2000.

BACKGROUND: Infections following solid-organ transplants are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Few studies have reported the complications of hepatic abscesses. METHODS: This investigation consisted of a retrospective chart review of all solid-organ transplant recipients from 1990 to 2000. Criteria for diagnosis included parenchymal hepatic lesions, positive cultures from liver aspirates or blood cultures, or both, and a compatible clinical presentation. RESULTS: Of 2,175 recipients of all organ transplants (heart, lung, kidney, liver, pancreas), we identified 12 patients who had experienced 14 episodes of hepatic abscess, all in liver transplant recipients. Median time from transplant to hepatic abscess was 386 days (range 25-4,198). The most common predisposing factor was hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT), which occurred in eight patients, and was diagnosed at an average of 249 days (range 33-3,215) after transplantation. Clinical presentation of hepatic abscess was similar to that described in non-immunosuppressed patients. All but one patient showed hypoalbuminemia (<3.5 g/dL); those with HAT also had significantly elevated lactate dehydrogenase. Liver aspirates grew gram-positive aerobic bacteria (50% of isolates), gram-negative aerobic bacteria (30%), and anaerobes and yeasts (10% each). Patients received an average of 6 weeks of intravenous antibiotic therapy. Catheter drainage was successful in 70% of cases; and five patients required retransplantation. Altogether, five of the patients died, yielding a mortality rate of 42%. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatic abscess, a rare complication after liver transplantation, was frequently associated with hepatic artery thrombosis. Mortality was higher than in patients who had not undergone transplantation. Prolonged antibiotic therapy, drainage, and even retransplantation may be required to improve the outcome in these patients.