Impact of Screening and Treatment of Ureaplasma spp on Hyperammonemia Syndrome in Lung Transplant Recipients: A Single Center Experience.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Infection with Ureaplasma species (spp) has been linked to fatal hyperammonemia syndrome (HS) in lung transplant recipients. We sought to characterize the epidemiology of Ureaplasma spp in candidates and donors and describe outcomes of antimicrobial therapy in preventing and treating HS.

Methods

Candidate testing for Ureaplasma spp was performed with urine culture and PCR pre-transplant. Positive candidates were treated with levofloxacin. Donor testing was performed with bronchoalveolar lavage culture and PCR intraoperatively. From 7/2014-2/2017 patients were treated according to results; from 2/2017-10/2018 recipients received empiric levofloxacin and azithromycin at transplant until testing returned negative. HS was defined as new onset altered mental status after transplant with ammonia > 200 µmol/L.

Results

60 patients who underwent lung transplant were included. 80% (n = 48) of patients had negative screening tests in donor and candidate pre-lung transplant, 8.3% (n = 5) of recipients had positive Ureaplasma spp testing in urine pre-transplant, and 13.3% (n = 8) had positive donor BAL testing at the time of lung transplant. 3 patients developed HS a median of 7 days post-transplant; 2 died of HS. Recipients of organs with Ureaplasma spp who received empiric therapy did not develop HS. Donors with Ureaplasma spp were younger and more sexually active.

Conclusion

Donor-derived Ureaplasma spp in lung transplant was associated with HS. Screening lung donors for Ureaplasma spp might allow for targeted therapy to reduce risk for development of HS, but future confirmatory studies are needed.

SUBMITTER: Roberts SC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8563172 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature