Infectious complications in the early postoperative period in liver transplant patients

Abstract

Liver transplantation (LTx) is a technically well established procedure in acute and in end-stage liver diseases. However, opportunistic infections remain one of the important complications in short and long-term outcome of LTx patients. Bloodstream and pulmonary infections are the major cause of death in the first year following liver transplantation. Due to extended use of chinolons and third generation cephalosporines there is a shift towards multidrug-resistant bacteria including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium, and extended b-lactamase-producing gram negative rods. Fungal infections are mainly due to Candida spp. Viral infections, such as with cytomegalovirus, human herpesvirus 6, herpes simplex virus, and Epstein-Barr virus infections are another major cause of morbidity in patients receiving solid organ transplants, including liver transplant patients. Studies of infection following LTx are necessary to improve management and to provide a better outcome after LTx. This review focuses on the most important bacterial, fungal and viral infections in LTx patients.