Epidemiology of invasive fungal infections after liver transplantation and the risk factors of late-onset invasive aspergillosis

Invasive fungal infection (IFI) in liver transplant recipients is associated with poor outcomes. Targeted antifungal prophylaxis is recommended for high-risk populations; however, the epidemiology of IFI has changed, and the risk criteria remain unclear. In addition, the risk factors for late-onset invasive aspergillosis (IA) have not been fully characterized. We examined 279 recipients over 16 years of age to uncover their IFI epidemiology, clinical characteristics and outcomes. In addition, a case–control study was performed to identify the risk factors of late-onset IA. Of the 279 recipients, 96.1% underwent living donor liver transplantation. Antifungal prophylaxis was administered to 80.6% of the recipients. IFI occurred in 15 patients, among which 8 cases were early-onset (≤90 days after liver transplantation) and 7 cases were late-onset (>90 days after liver transplantation). Five of the late-onset cases were invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, and 2 were fungemia cases. The mortality rate of late-onset IA was 80.0%. According to a multivariate analysis, steroid use before liver transplantation, bloodstream infection within 90 days after liver transplantation and reoperation within 90 days after liver transplantation were significant risk factors for late-onset IA after liver transplantation. The prevalence of IFI was low in our population given that over 80% of liver recipients received antifungal prophylaxis. The prognosis of late-onset IA remains poor, and predictors associated with late-onset IA, such as steroid use before liver transplantation, bloodstream infection and reoperation after liver transplantation, may help clinicians to optimize prevention measures for these devastating infections.