Open AccessThe incidence and importance of bacterial contaminants of cadaveric renal perfusion fluid
Author(s) -
Wakelin Sonia J.,
Casey John,
Robertson Amanda,
Friend Peter,
Jaques Bryon C.,
Yorke Hester,
Rigden Sue P.,
Emmanuel Xavier F. S.,
ParejaCebrian Lucia,
Forsythe John L. R.,
Morris Peter J.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
transplant international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.998
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1432-2277
pISSN - 0934-0874
DOI - 10.1111/j.1432-2277.2004.tb00494.x
Subject(s) - medicine , perfusion , contamination , staphylococcus aureus , antibiotics , incidence (geometry) , transplantation , kidney transplantation , pseudomonas aeruginosa , microbiology and biotechnology , surgery , bacteria , biology , ecology , genetics , physics , optics
Infections represent a significant risk in the postoperative transplant recipient. The perfusion fluid used to perfuse and preserve the kidneys prior to transplantation represents a potential medium in which organisms can grow. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and clinical relevance of bacterial contamination of perfusion fluid, A total of 4 centres participated in the study and 269 perfusion fluid samples were taken for microbiological analysis. Organisms were isolated from 38 out of 218 (17.4%) perfusion fluid samples taken prior to allograft implantation and 23 out of 51 (45%) samples taken at procurement. Low virulence organisms predominated although Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeru‐ginosa and Escherichia coli were also isolated. Although infective complications were not seen in the allograft recipients, given the frequency with which contamination occurs and the variation in unit antibiotic protocols, we recommend the routine culturing of perfusion fluid to ensure that any potentially significant organisms are identified and treated appropriately.