Risk of Bronchial Dehiscence in Lung Transplant Recipients With Carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella

Abstract

Background: Klebsiella pneumoniae is commonly isolated after lung transplantation. This study observed an increase in bronchial complications after an outbreak of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella (KPC-KP).

Methods: The study enrolled 173 patients who had undergone bilateral lung transplantation between 2012 and 2018 to examine the association between bronchial complications after lung transplantation and KPC-KP. The KPC-KP group was defined as patients whose isolates from sputum or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were positive for KPC-KP. The presence of bronchial complications was defined as a positive finding on bronchoscopy in accordance with the criteria of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation. Risk factors for bronchial complications were analyzed.

Results: KPC-KP was identified in 29 patients (16.8%), and bronchial dehiscence was observed in 13 patients (7.5%). Smoking (odds ratio [OR], 5.690; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.106- to 9.260; P = .037), the presence of KPC-KP (OR, 5.360; 95% CI, 1.380 to 20.810; P = .015), and bronchial necrosis (OR, 7.009; 95% CI, 1.811 to 27.124; P = .005) were associated with bronchial dehiscence in a multivariate logistic regression model.

Conclusions: The presence of KPC-KP in lung-transplant recipients significantly increased the risk of bronchial dehiscence, independent of bronchial necrosis. Thus, patients with KPC-KP require greater surveillance and follow-up bronchoscopy, irrespective of the presence or absence of bronchial necrosis or the overall patient condition.