Organ Transplantation Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Organ Transplantation, including details on risks, prognosis, procedure, surgery.

Rotavirus enteritis in solid organ transplant recipients: an underestimated problem?

Stelzmueller I, Wiesmayr S, Swenson BR, Biebl M, Goegele H, Margreiter R, Bonatti H

Department of General and Transplant Surgery, Innsbruck University Hospital, Innsbruck, Austria.

BACKGROUND: Diarrhea in solid organ transplantation can be a complication with a high morbidity and mortality. Rotavirus (RV) infection normally occurs in children up to 3 years of age and often presents with severe diarrhea; however, it can also affect adults. We investigated the prevalence and outcome of RV infections in both adult and pediatric patients after solid organ transplantation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of RV-related enteritis in solid organ transplant recipients with a minimum of a 1-year follow-up from a single center between 2000 and 2004. RESULTS: Within our cohort of 1303 solid organ transplants, RV infection was observed in 19 patients (1.5%); 14 of these were liver recipients. Infection was most prevalent among pediatric liver recipients, with 52% (11/21) of the children affected. Five adults acquired the infection during their initial hospitalization. Two adult patients had to be readmitted following late-onset RV infection. In all cases, infection was self-limiting, but led to prolonged hospitalization because of significant loss of fluids and electrolytes. CONCLUSIONS: RV enteritis is a common infection in pediatric solid organ recipients but may also affect adult patients.

Published 7 November 2007 in Transpl Infect Dis, 9(4): 281-5.
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