TY - JOUR
T1 - Clinical outcomes of solid organ transplant recipients with ehrlichiosis
AU - Lawrence, K. L.
AU - Morrell, M. R.
AU - Storch, G. A.
AU - Hachem, R. R.
AU - Trulock, E. P.
PY - 2009/6
Y1 - 2009/6
N2 - Because of our experience with severe Ehrlichia infections in lung transplant recipients, we reviewed all cases of ehrlichiosis in solid organ transplant recipients at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. Between 1996 and 2007, 25 cases of ehrlichiosis were identified. We retrospectively collected demographic, clinical, laboratory, and outcomes data, and we compared the 5 cases in lung transplant recipients with 20 cases in other solid organ transplant recipients (heart, 2; kidney, 13; liver, 5). The presenting symptoms in the majority of both groups consisted of fever and headache. Clinical outcomes were worse in the lung transplant group and included a greater need for intensive care unit treatment (80% vs. 20%, P=0.02), longer length of hospital stay (21 vs. 5 days, P=0.02), and propensity to develop acute lung injury or acute respiratory distress syndrome (60% vs. 10%, P=0.04). No mortalities occurred in either group of patients. In an endemic area, ehrlichiosis is not unusual in solid organ transplant recipients, and lung transplant recipients tend to have a more severe illness.
AB - Because of our experience with severe Ehrlichia infections in lung transplant recipients, we reviewed all cases of ehrlichiosis in solid organ transplant recipients at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. Between 1996 and 2007, 25 cases of ehrlichiosis were identified. We retrospectively collected demographic, clinical, laboratory, and outcomes data, and we compared the 5 cases in lung transplant recipients with 20 cases in other solid organ transplant recipients (heart, 2; kidney, 13; liver, 5). The presenting symptoms in the majority of both groups consisted of fever and headache. Clinical outcomes were worse in the lung transplant group and included a greater need for intensive care unit treatment (80% vs. 20%, P=0.02), longer length of hospital stay (21 vs. 5 days, P=0.02), and propensity to develop acute lung injury or acute respiratory distress syndrome (60% vs. 10%, P=0.04). No mortalities occurred in either group of patients. In an endemic area, ehrlichiosis is not unusual in solid organ transplant recipients, and lung transplant recipients tend to have a more severe illness.
KW - Ehrlichiosis
KW - Solid organ transplantation
KW - Tickborne diseases
KW - Transplant infections
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=67149139592&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/j.1399-3062.2009.00373.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1399-3062.2009.00373.x
M3 - Article
C2 - 19228344
AN - SCOPUS:67149139592
SN - 1398-2273
VL - 11
SP - 203
EP - 210
JO - Transplant Infectious Disease
JF - Transplant Infectious Disease
IS - 3
ER -