Risk factors for surgical site infection after general surgery in HIV-infected patients: a retrospective study

Abstract

Background As the number of HIV-infected patients increased, the number of patients requiring general surgery has subsequently increased. However, impairment of immune function due to HIV infection increases the risk of postoperative surgical-site infection and significant harm to patient health. This study aimed to examine the risk factors for surgical-site infection after general surgery. Methods The patients’ data were from Zunyi fourth hospital medical information system. Machine learning based Boruta algorithm were used for variable screening. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression and restricted cubic spline analysis were performed to examine the relationship between significant variables and surgical-site infection. Results A total of 125 general surgery postoperative HIV-infected patients participated in the study. Surgical-site pathogen culture identified Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and mixed bacteria as the three most common pathogens causing Surgical-site infection. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis to adjust for risk factors identified type III surgical incision (OR = 9.92, 95% CI = 1.28–76.75) and elevated preoperative white blood cell (WBC) count (OR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.12–1.51) as independent risk factors for postoperative surgical-site infection, whereas CD4 + T lymphocyte count greater than 400 cells/µL was identified as a protective factor (OR = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.09–0.60) while. The restricted cubic spline analysis results directly reflected the dose-response relationship between continuous variables and postoperative surgical-site infection. Conclusions Type III incision and an elevated WBC count pose a higher risk of postoperative surgical-site infection. A CD4 + T lymphocyte counts greater than 400 cells/µL provided a protective effect of lower risk of surgical site infection. Preoperative serum neutrophil percentage, albumin level, red blood cell count, and serum urea level within a specific range were beneficial in reducing the risk of incisional infections. Our research provides a theoretical basis for clinical practice. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12879-024-10166-w.