In this population, the average age of sarcopenic patients is increased from those who do not meet criteria. Among patients younger than 40 years, sarcopenia affects surgical outcomes. Assessment of sarcopenia can be used to improve preoperative management and describe risks before surgery in patients with IBD.

Liver transplantation (LT) has a demonstrated survival benefit in select patients with severe acute alcoholic hepatitis (SAH) who do not respond to steroids, but prior studies suggest low adoption among US LT centers. Our study explored current perceptions and practice patterns of LT for SAH in the United States. We administered a Web-based survey to medical directors of US LT centers between May and October of 2017 to characterize practice patterns and perceptions of LT for SAH. We obtained responses from 45 (41.3%) of 109 surveyed centers, representing all 11 (100%) United Network for Organ Sharing regions. Half (n = 23; 51.1%) reported performing at least 1 LT for SAH, although most (n = 19; 82.6%) of those had performed ≤5 LTs for that indication. Centers expressed near consensus for selection criteria, requiring strong social support (100%), no prior presentations with SAH (91.3%), absence of a severe coexisting psychiatric disorder (91.3%), and official psychosocial evaluation (87.0%). Reported posttransplant survival of SAH patients was excellent, with 17 (73.9%) centers reporting 1-year posttransplant survival exceeding 90%. Among centers that had not performed LT for SAH, the most commonly cited reason was perceived high risk of alcohol relapse. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that LT is increasingly adopted as a therapeutic intervention for patients with SAH and that careful selection allows for excellent 1-year posttransplant survival. Despite this, nearly half of US centers do not perform LT for this indication due to perceived high risk of alcohol relapse. Our data support the use of LT for well-selected patients with SAH.

Opportunistic infections are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality after orthotopic liver transplantation. Systemic immunosuppression renders the liver recipient susceptible to de novo infection with bacteria, viruses and fungi post-transplantation as well to reactivation of pre-existing, latent disease. Pathogens are also transmissible via the donor organ. The time from transplantation and degree of immunosuppression may guide the differential diagnosis of potential infectious agents. However, typical systemic signs and symptoms of infection are often absent or blunted after transplant and a high index of suspicion is needed. Invasive procedures are often required to procure tissue for culture and guide antimicrobial therapy. Antimicrobial prophylaxis reduces the incidence of opportunistic infections and is routinely employed in the care of patients after liver transplant. In this review, we survey common bacterial, fungal, and viral infections after orthotopic liver transplantation and highlight recent developments in their diagnosis and management. ( J CLIN EXP HEPATOL 2014;4:347-360) I nfection after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Infection is estimated to occur in upto 80% of organ recipients. Bacterial infections are most frequent (70%), followed by viral (20%) and fungal infections (8%). 1,2,3 In addition to direct effects of infection and end-organ inflammation, pathogens may have a number of indirect effects that result in allograft injury, rejection and opportunistic superinfection.The risk of infection in liver transplant recipients is determined by the intensity of exposure to infectious agents and the overall level of immunosuppression. 4 In addition, conditions attendant to end-stage liver disease in the immediate perioperative period may render a recipient vulnerable to infection and include: neutropenia, deficits in mucocutaneous barrier integrity, presence of necrotic tissue, ischemia, diabetes mellitus, immunomodulating viruses, uremia, and protein-calorie malnutrition. 5 Infectious exposures come from many sources post liver transplant including: de novo (acquired acute) in the recipient, reactivation in the recipient, the donor organ, and nosocomial and time from transplant may provide clues to etiology (Figure 1). The overall level of immunosuppression is dependent upon the dose, duration, and choice of immunosuppression as well as underlying immune deficiencies. 6 Inflammatory responses to invading pathogens are often blunted by immunosuppressive therapy, and as a result, the classic signs or symptoms of infection may be absent. A high index of suspicion is need in the liver recipient, and a low threshold to perform invasive diagnostic procedures is often required. It is critical to identify clinical factors that predispose recipients to infection and much interest centers on identifying risk factors for infection after liver transplant. GENETIC POLYMORPHISMS IN THE INNATE IMMUNE SYSTEMIn addition to clinical factors that promote ...

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