Statins are associated with improved outcomes of bloodstream infection in solid-organ transplant recipients

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2009 Nov;28(11):1343-51. doi: 10.1007/s10096-009-0787-4. Epub 2009 Aug 9.

Abstract

Among recipients of intra-abdominal solid-organ transplants, bloodstream infections (BSIs) are a major cause of mortality. We undertook a retrospective cohort study of recipients of kidney, pancreas, and/or liver transplants with BSIs at a single center over an 11-year period. Multivariate analysis using logistic regression was used to determine independent predictors of 15-day mortality and clinical cure, with a focus on the use of statins. Three hundred and eleven recipients of solid-organ transplants had 604 episodes of BSI. Forty-four (14%) died within 15 days of BSI. Sixteen percent did not achieve clinical cure. In the multivariate model, each one point increase in the APACHE score was associated with a 1.09-fold increased risk of death (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00-1.18, P = 0.03). The lack of appropriate antibiotic therapy was associated with a four-fold higher risk of death within 15 days (odds ratio [OR] 4.65, 95% CI 1.46-14.78, P = 0.009). Statin use was protective (OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.04-0.78). Patients with high APACHE scores, nosocomial rather than community source of BSI, lack of appropriate antibiotic therapy, and mental status changes were less likely to achieve clinical cure of their BSIs. In conclusion, appropriate antibiotic therapy and statin use are associated with lower risk of mortality from BSIs in this patient population.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Anticholesteremic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Bacteremia / drug therapy*
  • Bacteremia / mortality
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Postoperative Complications / drug therapy*
  • Postoperative Complications / mortality
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Transplants / adverse effects*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Anticholesteremic Agents