Cawcutt, Kelly A.

Abstract Background Clostridium difficile is a major cause of diarrhea in thoracic organ transplant recipients. We investigated the epidemiology, risk factors, and outcome of Clostridium difficile infection ( CDI ) in heart and heart‐lung transplant ( HT ) recipients. Methods This is a retrospective study from 2004 to 2013. CDI was defined by diarrhea and a positive toxigenic C. difficile in stool measured by toxin enzyme immunoassay (2004‐2006) or polymerase chain reaction (2007‐2013). Cox proportional hazards regression was used to model the association of risk factors with time to CDI and survival with CDI following transplantation. Results There were 254 HT recipients, with a median age of 53 years ( IQR , 45‐60); 34% were female. During the median follow‐up of 3.1 years ( IQR , 1.3‐6.1), 22 (8.7%) patients developed CDI . In multivariable analysis, risk factors for CDI were combined heart‐lung transplant ( HR 4.70; 95% CI , 1.30‐17.01 [ P =.02]) and retransplantation ( HR 7.19; 95% CI , 1.61‐32.12 [ P =.01]). Acute cellular rejection was associated with a lower risk of CDI ( HR 0.34; 95% CI , 0.11‐0.94 [ P =.04]). CDI was found to be an independent risk factor for mortality ( HR 7.66; 95% CI , 3.41‐17.21 [ P <.0001]). Conclusions Clostridium difficile infection after HT is more common among patients with combined heart‐lung and those undergoing retransplantation. CDI was associated with a higher risk of mortality in HT recipients.

SummaryInvasive mucormycosis is a rare fungal infection in immunocompromised hosts, but it carries a high mortality rate. Primary gastrointestinal disease is the least frequent form of presentation. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical in the management; however, symptoms are typically non‐specific in gastrointestinal disease, leading to delayed therapy. To describe the clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment and outcomes of gastrointestinal mucormycosis in immunocompromised hosts, we reviewed all cases of primary gastrointestinal mucormycosis in immunocompromised hosts reported in English literature as well as in our Institution from January 1st 1991 to December 31st 2013 for a total of 31 patients. About 52% of patients underwent solid organ transplant (SOT), while the rest had an underlying haematologic malignancy. Abdominal pain was the most common presenting symptom, followed by gastrointestinal bleeding and fever. Gastric disease was more common in SOT, whereas those with haematologic malignancy presented with intestinal disease (P = 0.002). Although gastrointestinal mucormycosis remains an uncommon condition in immunocompromised hosts, it carries significant morbidity and mortality, particularly in cases with intestinal involvement. A high index of suspicion is of utmost importance to institute early and appropriate therapy and improve outcomes.