Impact of Perioperative Antibiotic Prophylaxis Targeting Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria on Postoperative Infection Rates in Liver Transplant Recipients

Infections with multidrug-resistant (MDR) organisms remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among liver transplant recipients, despite advances in surgical techniques and immunosuppressive therapy. This prospective observational study aimed to evaluate the impact of targeted perioperat...

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Main Authors: Eleni Massa, Dimitrios Agapakis, Kalliopi Tsakiri, Nikolaos Antoniadis, Elena Angeloudi, Georgios Katsanos, Vasiliki Dourliou, Antigoni Champla, Christina Mouratidou, Dafni Stamou, Ioannis Alevroudis, Ariadni Fouza, Konstantina-Eleni Karakasi, Serafeim-Chrysovalantis Kotoulas, Georgios Tsoulfas, Eleni Mouloudi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Diagnostics
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/15/1866
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author Eleni Massa
Dimitrios Agapakis
Kalliopi Tsakiri
Nikolaos Antoniadis
Elena Angeloudi
Georgios Katsanos
Vasiliki Dourliou
Antigoni Champla
Christina Mouratidou
Dafni Stamou
Ioannis Alevroudis
Ariadni Fouza
Konstantina-Eleni Karakasi
Serafeim-Chrysovalantis Kotoulas
Georgios Tsoulfas
Eleni Mouloudi
author_facet Eleni Massa
Dimitrios Agapakis
Kalliopi Tsakiri
Nikolaos Antoniadis
Elena Angeloudi
Georgios Katsanos
Vasiliki Dourliou
Antigoni Champla
Christina Mouratidou
Dafni Stamou
Ioannis Alevroudis
Ariadni Fouza
Konstantina-Eleni Karakasi
Serafeim-Chrysovalantis Kotoulas
Georgios Tsoulfas
Eleni Mouloudi
author_sort Eleni Massa
collection DOAJ
description Infections with multidrug-resistant (MDR) organisms remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among liver transplant recipients, despite advances in surgical techniques and immunosuppressive therapy. This prospective observational study aimed to evaluate the impact of targeted perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis against MDR Gram-negative bacteria on postoperative infections and mortality in liver transplant recipients. Seventy-nine adult patients who underwent liver transplantation and were admitted to the ICU for more than 24 h postoperatively were included. Demographics, disease severity scores, comorbidities, and lengths of ICU and hospital stay were recorded. Colonization with carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria was assessed via preoperative and postoperative cultures from the blood, urine, rectum, and tracheal secretions. Patients were divided into two groups: those with MDR colonization or infection who received targeted prophylaxis and controls who received standard prophylaxis. Infectious complications (30.4%) occurred significantly less frequently than non-infectious ones (62.0%, <i>p</i> = 0.005). The most common infections were bacteremia (22.7%), pneumonia (17.7%), and surgical site infections (2.5%), with most events occurring within 15 days post-transplant. MDR pathogens isolated included <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i>, <i>Acinetobacter baumannii</i>, and <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>. Although overall complication and mortality rates at 30 days and 3 months did not differ significantly between groups, the targeted prophylaxis group had fewer infectious complications (22.8% vs. 68.5%, <i>p</i> = 0.008), particularly bacteremia (<i>p</i> = 0.007). Infection-related mortality was also significantly reduced in this group (<i>p</i> = 0.039). These findings suggest that identification of MDR colonization and administration of targeted perioperative antibiotics may reduce septic complications in liver transplant patients. Further prospective studies are warranted to confirm benefits on outcomes and resource utilization.
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spelling doaj-art-0557da787a5e462aaf7bcdf65bcd85c52025-08-20T03:36:03ZengMDPI AGDiagnostics2075-44182025-07-011515186610.3390/diagnostics15151866Impact of Perioperative Antibiotic Prophylaxis Targeting Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria on Postoperative Infection Rates in Liver Transplant RecipientsEleni Massa0Dimitrios Agapakis1Kalliopi Tsakiri2Nikolaos Antoniadis3Elena Angeloudi4Georgios Katsanos5Vasiliki Dourliou6Antigoni Champla7Christina Mouratidou8Dafni Stamou9Ioannis Alevroudis10Ariadni Fouza11Konstantina-Eleni Karakasi12Serafeim-Chrysovalantis Kotoulas13Georgios Tsoulfas14Eleni Mouloudi15Intensive Care Unit, General Hospital “Hippokratio”, 54642 Thessaloniki, GreeceDepartment of Internal Medicine, General Hospital “Agios Pavlos”, 55134 Thessaloniki, GreeceIntensive Care Unit, General Hospital “Hippokratio”, 54642 Thessaloniki, GreeceTransplantation Surgery Clinic, “Hippokratio” University Hospital, 54642 Thessaloniki, GreeceIntensive Care Unit, General Hospital “Hippokratio”, 54642 Thessaloniki, GreeceTransplantation Surgery Clinic, “Hippokratio” University Hospital, 54642 Thessaloniki, GreeceIntensive Care Unit, General Hospital “Hippokratio”, 54642 Thessaloniki, GreeceIntensive Care Unit, General Hospital “Hippokratio”, 54642 Thessaloniki, GreeceIntensive Care Unit, General Hospital “Hippokratio”, 54642 Thessaloniki, GreeceIntensive Care Unit, General Hospital “Hippokratio”, 54642 Thessaloniki, GreeceIntensive Care Unit, General Hospital “Hippokratio”, 54642 Thessaloniki, GreeceTransplantation Surgery Clinic, “Hippokratio” University Hospital, 54642 Thessaloniki, GreeceTransplantation Surgery Clinic, “Hippokratio” University Hospital, 54642 Thessaloniki, GreeceIntensive Care Unit, General Hospital “Hippokratio”, 54642 Thessaloniki, GreeceTransplantation Surgery Clinic, “Hippokratio” University Hospital, 54642 Thessaloniki, GreeceIntensive Care Unit, General Hospital “Hippokratio”, 54642 Thessaloniki, GreeceInfections with multidrug-resistant (MDR) organisms remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among liver transplant recipients, despite advances in surgical techniques and immunosuppressive therapy. This prospective observational study aimed to evaluate the impact of targeted perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis against MDR Gram-negative bacteria on postoperative infections and mortality in liver transplant recipients. Seventy-nine adult patients who underwent liver transplantation and were admitted to the ICU for more than 24 h postoperatively were included. Demographics, disease severity scores, comorbidities, and lengths of ICU and hospital stay were recorded. Colonization with carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria was assessed via preoperative and postoperative cultures from the blood, urine, rectum, and tracheal secretions. Patients were divided into two groups: those with MDR colonization or infection who received targeted prophylaxis and controls who received standard prophylaxis. Infectious complications (30.4%) occurred significantly less frequently than non-infectious ones (62.0%, <i>p</i> = 0.005). The most common infections were bacteremia (22.7%), pneumonia (17.7%), and surgical site infections (2.5%), with most events occurring within 15 days post-transplant. MDR pathogens isolated included <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i>, <i>Acinetobacter baumannii</i>, and <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>. Although overall complication and mortality rates at 30 days and 3 months did not differ significantly between groups, the targeted prophylaxis group had fewer infectious complications (22.8% vs. 68.5%, <i>p</i> = 0.008), particularly bacteremia (<i>p</i> = 0.007). Infection-related mortality was also significantly reduced in this group (<i>p</i> = 0.039). These findings suggest that identification of MDR colonization and administration of targeted perioperative antibiotics may reduce septic complications in liver transplant patients. Further prospective studies are warranted to confirm benefits on outcomes and resource utilization.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/15/1866perioperative antibiotic prophylaxismultidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteriaoutcomeliver transplantation
spellingShingle Eleni Massa
Dimitrios Agapakis
Kalliopi Tsakiri
Nikolaos Antoniadis
Elena Angeloudi
Georgios Katsanos
Vasiliki Dourliou
Antigoni Champla
Christina Mouratidou
Dafni Stamou
Ioannis Alevroudis
Ariadni Fouza
Konstantina-Eleni Karakasi
Serafeim-Chrysovalantis Kotoulas
Georgios Tsoulfas
Eleni Mouloudi
Impact of Perioperative Antibiotic Prophylaxis Targeting Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria on Postoperative Infection Rates in Liver Transplant Recipients
Diagnostics
perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis
multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria
outcome
liver transplantation
title Impact of Perioperative Antibiotic Prophylaxis Targeting Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria on Postoperative Infection Rates in Liver Transplant Recipients
title_full Impact of Perioperative Antibiotic Prophylaxis Targeting Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria on Postoperative Infection Rates in Liver Transplant Recipients
title_fullStr Impact of Perioperative Antibiotic Prophylaxis Targeting Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria on Postoperative Infection Rates in Liver Transplant Recipients
title_full_unstemmed Impact of Perioperative Antibiotic Prophylaxis Targeting Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria on Postoperative Infection Rates in Liver Transplant Recipients
title_short Impact of Perioperative Antibiotic Prophylaxis Targeting Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria on Postoperative Infection Rates in Liver Transplant Recipients
title_sort impact of perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis targeting multidrug resistant gram negative bacteria on postoperative infection rates in liver transplant recipients
topic perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis
multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria
outcome
liver transplantation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/15/1866
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