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Outcome of a First Episode of Bacterial Infection in Candidates for Liver Transplantation
Author(s) -
Ferrarese Alberto,
Vitale Alessandro,
Sgarabotto Dino,
Russo Francesco Paolo,
Germani Giacomo,
Gambato Martina,
Cattelan Anna Maria,
Angeli Paolo,
Cillo Umberto,
Burra Patrizia,
Senzolo Marco
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
liver transplantation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.814
H-Index - 150
eISSN - 1527-6473
pISSN - 1527-6465
DOI - 10.1002/lt.25479
Subject(s) - medicine , interquartile range , liver transplantation , cirrhosis , gastroenterology , liver disease , transplantation , cause of death , surgery , disease
Bacterial infection (BI) is a major cause of worsening of liver function and death in patients with cirrhosis who are awaiting liver transplantation (LT). This study aimed to evaluate the outcome of LT candidates after a first episode of BI between January 2006 and December 2014 at Padua University Hospital. Among 876 LT candidates with cirrhosis, 114 (13%) experienced an episode of BI. Of the 114 patients, 79 were male and 35 were female, and the median (interquartile range) age and Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease scores were 58 (12) years and 19 (8), respectively. When compared with matched LT candidates who experienced no BI, they had a higher probability of death ( P = 0.004) and a lower probability of undergoing LT ( P = 0.01). Considering only patients who recovered from BI within 30 days, their probabilities of death and of undergoing LT were similar to those of matched controls ( P = 0.34 and P = 0.43, respectively). The 90‐day post‐LT mortality was equal between groups ( P = 0.90). BI was a strong predictor of early death on the waiting list for LT. Conversely, patients who fully recovered from a BI episode within 30 days did not have a higher mortality risk than matched controls without infection.