Early and late onset Clostridium difficile-associated colitis following liver transplantation

Transpl Int. 2007 Oct;20(10):856-66. doi: 10.1111/j.1432-2277.2007.00530.x.

Abstract

Clostridium difficile colitis (CDC) remains a serious and common complication after liver transplantation (LT). Four hundred and sixty-seven consecutive LTs in 402 individuals were performed between 1998 and 2001 at our center. Standard immunosuppression consisted of tacrolimus, mycophenolate, and steroids. CD toxins A and B were detected by using a rapid immunoassay or enzyme immunoassay. CDC was diagnosed in 32 patients (5-1999 days post-LT), with 93.8% (30/32) of patients developing CDC during the first year post-LT; three individuals had CDC more than 3 years post-LT, one of which also had early CDC. All patients presented with abdominal pain and watery diarrhea. Patients who developed CDC within 1-year post-LT were significantly more likely to have a hemorrhagic, biliary, or infectious complication. Patients who developed CDC within 28 days post-LT had a significantly higher model end-stage liver disease score. Treatment consisted of fluid and electrolyte replacement and metronidazole and no patients developed toxic megacolon, required colonic resection, or died from CDC. CDC represents a potentially severe complication following LT. Most cases occur early post-LT. Development of a hemorrhagic, biliary, or infectious complication is associated with the development of CDC.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Biopsy
  • Clostridioides difficile / isolation & purification*
  • Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / epidemiology
  • Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / etiology*
  • Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / microbiology
  • Female
  • Florida / epidemiology
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Graft Rejection / drug therapy
  • Graft Rejection / immunology
  • Graft Rejection / pathology
  • Graft Survival
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Incidence
  • Liver Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Liver Transplantation / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prognosis
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents