Antibiotics may predispose to lactobacillemia in liver transplant patients

R. Patel, F. R. Cockerill, M. K. Porayko, M. R. Keating

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Lactobacilli are ubiquitous inhabitants of the human oral cavity, vagina, and gastrointestinal tract, that are generally considered non-pathogenic. We retrospectively reviewed all positive blood cultures for Lactobacillus species (sp.) from liver transplant recipients at our institution. Eight cases of lactobacillus bacteremia were identified. Selective bowel decontamination with non-absorbable oral antibiotics was administered to all patients. Additionally, all patients received intravenous vancomycin; most isolates exhibited either in vitro or in vivo vancomycin resistance. The biliary anastomosis in each patient was a Roux-Y choledochojejunostomy. The underlying clinical conditions included perihepatic abscesses in two patients, biliary strictures with either hepatic abscesses or infected bile in four, and heaptic infarctions with necrosis and infection of the liver in two. The use of selective bowel deontamination, intravenous vancomycin and Roux-Y choledochojejunostomy in liver transplantation patients may predispose to lactobacillemia.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)215-219
Number of pages5
JournalInternational Journal of Antimicrobial Agents
Volume3
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1993

Keywords

  • Bacteremia
  • Choledochojejunostomy
  • Lactobacillus
  • Liver transplantation
  • Selective bowel decontamination
  • Vancomycin

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Microbiology (medical)
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology (medical)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Antibiotics may predispose to lactobacillemia in liver transplant patients'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this