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Complications of Cryptosporidium infection after pediatric liver transplantation: Diarrhea, rejection, and biliary disease
Author(s) -
Fischer Ryan T.,
Day J. Christopher,
Wasserkrug Heather,
Faseler Megan,
Kats Alexander,
Daniel James F.,
Slowik Voytek,
Andrews Walter,
Hendrickson Richard J.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
pediatric transplantation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.457
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1399-3046
pISSN - 1397-3142
DOI - 10.1111/petr.13807
Subject(s) - medicine , diarrhea , cryptosporidium , liver transplantation , gastroenterology , liver disease , transplantation , population , feces , paleontology , environmental health , biology
Background Cryptosporidium enteritis can be devastating in the immunocompromised host. In pediatric liver transplant recipients, infection may be complicated by prolonged carriage of the parasite, rejection, and biliary tree damage and fibrosis. Herein, we report on six patients and their long‐term outcomes following cryptosporidiosis. Methods We reviewed all cases of cryptosporidiosis in a pediatric liver transplant population over a 17‐year period at a single center. Six patients with infection were identified, and their outcomes were analyzed. Results Infection was associated with significant diarrhea and dehydration in all cases, and led to hospitalization in one‐half of patients. Four of the six patients developed biopsy‐proven rejection following infection, with three of those patients developing rejection that was recalcitrant to intravenous steroid treatment. Additionally, three patients developed biliary tree abnormalities with similarity to sclerosing cholangitis. In one patient, those biliary changes led to repeated need for biliary drain placement and advancing fibrotic liver allograft changes. Conclusions Cryptosporidiosis in pediatric liver transplant recipients may lead to significant complications, including recalcitrant episodes of rejection and detrimental biliary tree changes. We advocate for increased awareness of this cause of diarrheal disease and the allograft injuries that may accompany infection.