Bacterial infections in 100 patients submitted to heart transplantation

PURPOSE: To evaluate clinical findings and etiology of bacterial infections diagnosed in 100 consecutive heart transplantations. METHODS: One hundred consecutive heart transplant patients were studied. Follow-up after heart transplantation varied from 3 to 90 (mean 25.38 +/- SD 25.97) months. Etiology of bacterial infection was established using the Centers for Disease Control criteria. RESULTS: Bacterial infection was the most common cause of infection after heart transplantation; diagnosis was difficult. Infection sites were skin, mucous, membranes, soft tissue, surgical scar, pericardial and pleural spaces, soft tissue around heart pacing devices, urinary tract; bacteremias and endocarditis were also found. All bacterial agents recovered were fully identified. CONCLUSION: Bacterial infections are the most common infections in the first month after heart transplantation. They are important and also common after the treatment of the rejection episodes. Rapid diagnosis and adequate treatment are essential to prevent morbidity and death.