Multidrug-Resistant Bacterial Infections before and after Liver Transplantation

Alberto Ferrarese , Marco Senzolo , Patrizia Burra ^*

Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Padua University Hospital, via Giustiniani, 2, 35128 Padua, Italy

* Correspondence: Patrizia Burra

Academic Editor: Yasuhiko Sugawara

Special Issue: Infections in Liver Transplantation

Received: March 29, 2020 | Accepted: May 11, 2020 | Published: May 18, 2020

OBM Transplantation 2020, Volume 4, Issue 2, doi:10.21926/obm.transplant.2002110

Recommended citation: Ferrarese A, Senzolo M, Burra P. Multidrug-Resistant Bacterial Infections before and after Liver Transplantation. OBM Transplantation 2020; 4(2): 110; doi:10.21926/obm.transplant.2002110.

© 2020 by the authors. This is an open access article distributed under the conditions of the Creative Commons by Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is correctly cited.

1. Bacterial Infection in Cirrhosis: An Evolving Scenario

The liver is actively involved in the inflammatory response against bacteria and plays a central role in the regulation of immune defense [1]. This pro- and anti-inflammatory balance is often impaired or even lost in the presence of acute or chronic liver diseases.

Cirrhosis is characterized by an immunocompromised state and exhaustion of immune response to pathogens due to immunodeficiency and persistent systemic inflammation [2].

Therefore, patients with cirrhosis are prone to develop a bacterial infection (BI) during the natural history of the disease [3]. Prevalence of BI ranges from 20% to 30% in hospitalized patients, with the rate being significantly associated with the severity of the underlying condition [4,5]. The occurrence of BI further impairs circulatory dysfunction and increase portal hypertension, accompanied by splanchnic vasodilation and hypoperfusion of extrahepatic organ(s) [6,7]. As a consequence, BI is a common trigger for the development of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) [8,9], which is associated with short-term mortality [10].

In the past few decades, clinical practice in the field of hepatology has changed dramatically as a consequence of the implementation of liver transplant (LT) programs. Cirrhotic patients are more frequently admitted to the ICU nowadays. They undergo several diagnostic and therapeutic invasive procedures and are repeatedly in contact with healthcare facilities. Such progress in the care of cirrhosis has led to an increasing rate of nosocomial/healthcare-associated BI, and ultimately to an alarming spread of infections caused by multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) [11,12,13]. Epidemiology, risk factors, and clinical features of resistant strains–such as vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), methicillin-resistant staphylococci, extended-spectrum β-lactamase enterobacterales (ESBLE) and carbapenem-resistant enterobacterales (CRE)–have been widely reported in cirrhosis [14,15,16,17]. Notably, the latter group encompasses bacteria with multiple molecular resistance mechanisms, including the ability to produce carbapenemases (which are further categorized according to their molecular structure/active sites) [18].

The occurrence of MDRO infection in the setting of LT is a detrimental event, as it can significantly affect the patient’s short-term outcome. This review provides new perspectives in this area, with a focus on the outcome of the occurrence of MDRO infection immediately before or after surgery.

2. Multidrug-Resistant Bacterial Infection Occurring before LT

The prevalence of MDRO infections in cirrhosis is variable across studies. Several factors may explain this heterogeneity. Firstly, even though an MDRO is commonly considered according to resistance to at least one agent in three different antibiotic classes [19], different definitions have been suggested in studies on MDRO and cirrhosis. Secondly, in many cases, the terms of systemic infection and colonization have been used interchangeably. However, colonization implies the presence of a microorganism in a host, but without any overt clinical expression or detectable immune reaction. Conversely, the term infection implies the successful multiplication of a bacterium within a host, triggering an immune response [20,21]. These definitions have been widely accepted in the setting of cirrhosis and solid organ transplantation [22,23,24]. Thirdly, since the risk of BI is strongly associated with the severity of liver disease and patients’ characteristics (e.g., the setting and timing of evaluation), the studies cannot be compared to each other as they include heterogeneous cohorts of cirrhotics. Lastly, many BIs in cirrhosis turn out culture-negative (e.g., pneumonia, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis); thus, the prevalence of MDRO infections could be underestimated.

Summarizing the available literature, MDRO are responsible for 20–30% of culture-positive infections in patients with cirrhosis. A multicenter study conducted in Italy [16] reported 27% prevalence of MDRO infections in 395 patients, mainly due to gram-negative rods (ESBLE and CRE). Another study from Greece [25], examined only the prevalence of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, and reported lower prevalence (19%). In a study in Egypt [26], which considered only cirrhotic patients in the ICU, there was 52.6% prevalence of MDRO pathogens in culture-positive infections, mainly methicillin-resistant staphylococci, ESBLE, and CRE.

A recent prospective, observational, multicenter study [15], which included forty-six centers worldwide, reported that MDRO accounted for 34% of culture-positive infections. This study highlighted relevant geographic and epidemiological differences and reinforced the link between MDRO infections and decompensated liver function, prior use of systemic antibiotics, invasive procedures, and exposure to healthcare workers. In another landmark study, which considered only patients with decompensated cirrhosis and ACLF, Fernandez et al. [13] reported similar prevalence of MDRO infections (29%) at a rate equal to 28%, 23.5% and 20.7% for bloodstream infections, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections, respectively. As expected, the resolution rate of MDRO infections was significantly lower than that of non-MDRO infections; furthermore, the former group led to a higher prevalence of severe sepsis/shock and ACLF, increasing the rate of short-term mortality.

Few epidemiological data are available in the setting of LT. We have previously demonstrated a 24.2% rate of MDRO-related BI in a large cohort of 876 patients enlisted for LT between 2006 and 2014 at our center [27]; notably, CRE and methicillin-resistant staphylococci were the commonest strains of MDRO. With regard to the outcome, BI occurring while awaiting LT or during the days before surgery has been associated with controversial results. A multicenter study in the US [28] clearly showed that the risk of being delisted from the LT waiting list within six months was much higher in infected patients with cirrhosis (42%) than in non-infected wait-listed patients, even in the case where a sub-analysis on MDRO strains was not yet reported. Moreover, a recent study on the Eurotransplant database by Friedrich et al. [29] showed that twenty-three LT candidates with pre-LT MDRO infection had significantly higher chances of being delisted from the waiting list than patients without infection, since the occurrence of MDRO infection led to a two-fold mortality risk while awaiting transplantation. In the above-mentioned study conducted at our center [27], we demonstrated that for patients in the waiting list for LT, BI was an independent predictor of mortality, but patients who recovered from BI and readmitted to the waiting list after thirty days had a good probability of receiving LT, and their mortality risk was similar to patients without infection.

Considering the post-LT phase, several studies have shown that pre-LT MDRO infections might significantly affect post-LT survival [30,31]. Conversely, a few other authors did not find differences in the early postoperative outcome if pre-LT infections were adequately treated [32,33]. In a study in France conducted on the sickest ACLF patients admitted to the ICU, uncontrolled sepsis remained a contraindication for LT, whereas treated sepsis was not a reason to rule out a priori the intervention [34]; nevertheless, no cases of MDRO infection were reported. Thus, we can hypothesize that the control of a MDRO related sepsis might be very difficult, and it would take much more time than a non-MDRO infection in such an LT setting.

An MDRO colonization represents an important issue while awaiting transplantation. For the above-mentioned factors, such colonization occurs more frequently in the sickest, hospitalized patients with cirrhosis. Thus, the risk of a postoperative MDRO systemic infection should be considered case-by-case and carefully balanced with the risk of short-term mortality as in a case without a transplant. A recently published consensus conference on colonization in the solid organ transplant setting [22] confirmed the association between ESBLE colonization and worsened postoperative outcome, but the panel did not consider it as a contraindication for transplantation. Indeed, pre-operative specific antibiotic prophylaxis and early institution of a targeted antibiotic treatment after surgery might reduce mortality and graft loss in such patients.

An MDRO colonization due to CRE and VRE, while awaiting LT, represents an even more difficult scenario due to the high risk of postoperative onset of a systemic infection, and the relatively low number of antibiotics available for treatment [35,36,37,38]. Nonetheless, to date, there are no data to firmly contraindicate transplantation of patients colonized with CRE and VRE [22].

Taken together, these data suggest that the prevalence of MDRO infections is increasing dramatically in patients with cirrhosis (with the current rate ranging from 20 to 30%), and is more common among the sickest and hospitalized patients. MDRO infection is often associated with poor survival and further impairment of hepatic and extrahepatic organs, leading to ACLF. Since an MDRO infection occurring early before LT might influence the postoperative course, an effective treatment strategy is advisable before considering the patient suitable for LT. MDRO colonization occurring in the pre-LT phase does not firmly contraindicate transplantation; however, since it has been associated with a higher risk of postoperative complications (including graft loss), the decision to proceed with LT should be carefully weighed, especially for the sickest patients with CRE or VRE colonization.

3. Multidrug Bacterial Infection Early after Liver Transplantation

The prevalence of BI in the early phase after LT ranges from 30% to 60%, with surgical site infections, catheter-related bloodstream infections, and ventilator-associated pneumonia being the commonest sources [39,40,41]. The occurrence of a BI in the early postoperative days often leads to impairment of graft function and delay in the introduction of immunosuppression at an effective dosage; furthermore, it significantly influences the functioning of an extrahepatic organ (s), leading to a prolonged ICU stay and impaired short-term graft function [42,43]. The occurrence of an MDRO infection has been associated with a worsened post-LT survival rate [44,45].

An MDRO infection may occur in the post-LT phase through any of the three important mechanisms: post-LT infection from a pre-LT infection, post-LT colonization, or donor-derived infection.

Pre-LT colonization has been considered a risk factor for post-LT MDRO colonization and subsequent infection, especially by CRE strains [46]. Giannella et al. [36] demonstrated in a prospective group of 237 LT patients that CRE colonization before LT was an independent risk factor for post-LT CRE infection. The same group [35] confirmed the data evaluating the occurrence of CRE systemic infections in a larger cohort of 553 LT recipients. At multivariate analysis, CRE colonization at LT was an independent risk factor for the occurrence of CRE infection within one year after LT, along with post-LT colonization, combined transplant, prolonged mechanical ventilation, re-intervention, and rejection. Another prospective study by Freire et al. [47] confirmed that both pre- and post-LT CRE colonization were significant risk factors for developing a CRE infection early after LT (OR 12.75; 95% CI 5.5–29; OR 4.14, 95% CI 1.93–8.90, respectively), along with a MELD score > 32 at LT, combined transplant, reoperation, and post-LT need for dialysis. Similar results were observed for MDRO infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii [48]. Notably, patients who experienced such an infection were more prone to colonization before surgery and displayed a significant postoperative mortality rate (equal to 46% within two months of surgery).

Robust data are also available for gram-positive MDRO pathogens. A meta-analysis of twenty-three studies on solid organ transplantations (seventeen on LT) [49] confirmed that pre-transplant and post-transplant methicillin-resistant staphylococcal colonization increased the risk of post-transplant systemic infection (pooled risk ratio: 5.51; 95% CI 2.36–12.90 and 10.56; 95% CI 5.58–19.95, respectively); similarly, pre-transplant and post-transplant VRE colonization was also associated with a significant risk of VRE infection (RR 6.65; 95% CI 2.54–17.41 and RR 7.93; 95% CI 2.36–26.67, respectively).

Donor-derived infections (DDI) caused by MDRO pathogens have been increasingly reported to have a significant impact on the recipients’ outcome [44]. Deceased donors are often critically ill patients admitted to the ICU and have several risk factors for developing or acquiring MDRO colonization or infection. Lewis et al. [50] in 2016 summarized the available literature in this field, showing that around 50% of solid transplant recipients who received a graft from a donor with MDRO infection, subsequently acquired a DDI. Furthermore, gram-negative MDRO infections were associated with a worse prognosis than gram-positive ones (41% vs. 14%, respectively), but the low sample size might have influenced the results.

Two recent studies corroborate these findings. The first study conducted in the US [51] reported 15% prevalence of MDRO-related infections in 440 solid organ donors, with Hepatitis C, dialysis, prior hematopoietic cell transplant, and exposure to antibiotics with a narrow Gram-negative spectrum acting as independent predictors. The second study carried out in Italy [52] investigated the prevalence of MDRO infections in 759 deceased donors. The authors showed that screening for MDRO was performed in 99% of patients during the observation period, but results were not available at the time of transplantation in a significant percentage of patients (20%). There were 36 cases of CRE infection among donors, and most of them were not discarded since culture positivization occurred after transplantation. Considering the early post-transplant phase, when the transplant was not related to the site of CRE isolation, 90-d post-transplant mortality was low (8.3%), without any association with sepsis or CRE infection. When transplants were performed in the presence of CRE in the same site and/or in blood, mortality was higher (23.1%); in two cases (one lung and one liver), death was associated with early post-transplant CRE sepsis due to the same CRE species as found in donor.

Therefore, since absolute prevention of donor-recipient transmission of bacterial infections is not always feasible, strict microbial surveillance of the donors is of utmost importance, especially for donors with prolonged ICU stay, fever, and suspicion of an ongoing clinical infection. In the diagnosis of DDI, an early administration of targeted antibiotic therapy is mandatory, even if pre-emptive therapy or prophylaxis fails to prevent DDI in many cases [44].

Taken together, these data suggest that pre-LT and post-LT MDRO colonization represent a major risk factor for post-LT MDRO infection, especially in the case of CRE. The severity of the liver disease at the time of transplantation, post-LT complications as well as longer ICU stay represent other risk factors for MDRO-related infections. Although rare, a donor-derived MDRO infection represents a serious complication, which can significantly impair graft function and patient outcome in the early post-transplantation phase.

4. Strategies to Prevent and Treat Multidrug Bacterial Infections in the Setting of Liver Transplantation

The principles of antibiotic treatment of MDRO infections go beyond the aim of this manuscript. Furthermore, robust data on the safety and effectiveness of novel antibiotics, such as the combinations of carbapenems for CRE or combination of ceftaroline, dalbavancin, and delafloxacin for methicillin-resistant staphylococci, are yet to come in the liver transplantation setting [53,54].

Nevertheless, some information may be of importance for the prevention and treatment of MDRO infections in the LT setting.

Since MDRO infections often develop in the sickest, hospitalized patients with cirrhosis, organ dysfunction, and prior non-MDRO bacterial infections, the antibiotic stewardship remains paramount for preventing the emergence of resistant rods before LT [12,55]. This might include an accurate evaluation of the local epidemiological trends of bacterial infections using a multidisciplinary approach encompassing infectious disease specialists, anesthesiologists, transplant surgeons, pharmacists and hepatologists, and tailored treatment algorithms [56,57].

Furthermore, active surveillance for MDRO colonization both before and after LT should be universally performed, in order to institute an adequate prophylactic or pre-emptive antibiotic therapy in the early postoperative phase, or whenever needed.

The role of intestinal decontamination in cirrhotics has been under debate. A meta-analysis of four randomized studies published between 1994 and 2002 by Safdar et al. [58] showed the benefit of oral decontamination in reducing the incidence of only gram-negative infections in the LT setting (84% reduction), whereas it had no effect on overall infections. These results have been confirmed in a further meta-analysis by Gurusamy et al. [59], who did not find significant differences in mortality or post-LT infections when comparing oral decontamination with placebo, prebiotics and probiotics. Notably, an observational study by Katchman et al. [60] focused on the role of intestinal decontamination in the setting of a living donor LT, where surgery could be more effectively planned. The authors began administering oral colistin plus gentamicin three days before surgery until the day of discharge or up to a maximum of 14 days after surgery but they did not find a decrease in post-LT infection rate (42.7% vs. 46.8%). In this study, however, oral decontamination was administered to patients undergoing LT irrespective of the presence/absence of MDRO colonization before surgery.

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been proposed as a novel technique for intestinal decontamination in the sickest patients. This therapeutic approach was originally considered for the treatment of refractory/recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection, with good results in terms of safety and effectiveness. It is also useful for immunocompromised patients [61].

In the field of MDRO colonization, the available data were collected from small cohorts of patients, who had heterogeneous underlying conditions [62,63]. A recent multicentric study showed a 70% de-colonization rate using FMT in a small cohort of patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation without serious adverse events [64].

Safety and effectiveness of FMT are two major issues found in the sickest patients with cirrhosis experiencing MDRO colonization. Preliminary data coming from studies on FMT in the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy showed promising results with only a few side effects, also, in the long-term follow-up [65,66]. However, further studies are warranted before considering FMT as a well-established and safe option for intestinal decontamination in such patients [67].

5. Conclusions

MDRO-related infections represent an emerging challenge in Hepatology. According to the available data, these infections significantly impair survival in both decompensated cirrhotics awaiting LT and early postoperative phase cirrhotics. Since pre-LT and post-LT colonization was an important risk factor for post-surgical invasive infection, standardized surveillance strategies for colonization are mandatory. Careful screening of the highest risk organ donors is advisable in order to institute early and effective treatment strategies after donor-to-recipient MDRO transmission is established. Robust data on the safety and effectiveness of new antimicrobial combinations, as well as FMT for the treatment of MDRO infections and colonization in this specific setting, are urgently needed.

Abbreviations

ACLF: acute-on-chronic liver failure; BI: bacterial infection; CRE: carbapenems resistant enterobacterales; DDI: donor-derived infection; ESBLE: extended-spectrum beta-lactamase enterobacterales; FMT: fecal microbiota transplantation; LT: liver transplantation; MDRO: multidrug-resistant organism; VRE: vancomycin-resistant enterococci.

Acknowledgments

None to declare.

Author Contributions

AF, PB, MS participated in research design, performance of the research and writing of the manuscript.

Funding

No organization(s) nor foundation(s) funded this research.

Competing Interests

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.