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Recurrent nocardiosis in solid organ transplant recipients: An evaluation of secondary prophylaxis
Resource type
Journal Article
Authors/contributors
- Yetmar, Zachary A. (Author)
- Wilson, John W. (Author)
- Beam, Elena (Author)
Title
Recurrent nocardiosis in solid organ transplant recipients: An evaluation of secondary prophylaxis
Abstract
Background: Immunocompromised individuals are at risk for Nocardia infection, with a recurrence rate of approximately 5%. Solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients often receive secondary prophylaxis due to their requirement of lifelong immunosuppression. However, data supporting this practice is sparse. We sought to evaluate Nocardia recurrence in SOT recipients, specifically evaluating secondary prophylaxis.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of SOT recipients diagnosed with nocardiosis from 2000 through 2020. We included adult SOT recipients who completed their course of Nocardia therapy and had at least 6 months of posttherapy follow-up. The primary outcome was Nocardia recurrence, which included relapse and reinfection.
Results: One hundred two patients met inclusion criteria. Sixty-six (64.7%) were male and mean age was 58.6 ± 11.7 years. Most common SOT types were kidney (46.1%), heart (18.6%), kidney-pancreas (11.8%), and lung (10.8%). Most common sites of infection were lung (85.3%), skin (17.6%), and brain (14.7%). Secondary prophylaxis was utilized in 53 (52.0%) patients. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) singlestrength daily was the most common prophylaxis agent and dose. Five patients (4.9%) experienced Nocardia recurrence, three of which were receiving secondary prophylaxis at time of recurrence. Two recurrences were with the same Nocardia species. Factors associated with recurrence were lung transplantation (p = .011), chronic lung disease (p = .032), and treatment ≤120 days (p = .006). Time from treatment completion to recurrence ranged from 107 to 875 days.
Conclusions: Nocardia recurrence in SOT recipients is an uncommon event. TMP-SMX secondary prophylaxis is incompletely protective and recurrence may be dependent upon other factors. Further study of secondary prophylaxis is warranted.
Publication
Transplant Infectious Disease
Date
12/2021
Volume
23
Issue
6
Journal Abbr
Transplant Infectious Dis
Accessed
1/17/22, 5:44 PM
ISSN
1398-2273, 1399-3062
Short Title
Recurrent nocardiosis in solid organ transplant recipients
Language
en
Library Catalog
DOI.org (Crossref)
Citation
Yetmar, Z. A., Wilson, J. W., & Beam, E. (2021). Recurrent nocardiosis in solid organ transplant recipients: An evaluation of secondary prophylaxis. Transplant Infectious Disease, 23(6). https://doi.org/10.1111/tid.13753
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