2123. The Impact of Staphylococcus aureus Peri-transplant Cultures on Six-Month Outcomes in Lung Transplantation

BACKGROUND: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) infections post-lung transplant lead to increased mortality. The impact of S. aureus peri-transplant respiratory cultures on post-transplant outcomes is unknown as is the optimal duration of peri-transplant antibiotics. We compared lung transplant recipients with and without S. aureus growth on peri-transplant cultures and the impact on 6-month outcomes including rejection, survival, and occurrence of S. aureus infections. METHODS: A single-center, retrospective study of lung transplant recipients between January 2017 and April 2021 was performed. Donor/recipient characteristics, microbiologic data, antibiotics, and 6-month outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: In this 4.5-year study period, 229 patients underwent lung transplant. 121 (53%) had S. aureus growth on peri-transplant cultures, of which 84 (69%) were methicillin-susceptible (MSSA), 30 (25%) methicillin-resistant (MRSA), and 7 (6%) had MSSA and MRSA. Median duration of antibiotics post-transplant was 28-days in the S. aureus group. 67% of non-S. aureus recipients received S. aureus targeting antibiotics (p = < 0.001) for other indications for a median of 13-days. In the S. aureus cohort, donors were younger (median age 33 vs 38 years, p = 0.027) and more donors died from drug intoxication (50% vs 31%, p = 0.005) [Table 1]. Recipient baseline characteristics and median length of hospitalization were similar in both cohorts. There were no statistically significant differences in 6-month outcomes, including rates of rejection or survival [Figure 1]. Having grown S. aureus in peri-transplant cultures was not associated with a higher incidence of post-transplant S. aureus infections (10% vs 13%, p = 0.534). Patients who had a S. aureus infection post-transplant had lower 6-month survival that was not statistically significant (85% vs 93%, p = 0.131). [Figure: see text] [Figure: see text] CONCLUSION: The growth of S. aureus on peri-transplant respiratory cultures with a median 4-week antibiotic course does not increase the risk of having a S. aureus infection post-transplant and is not associated with increased mortality or rejection at 6-months. The impact of a shorter duration of peri-transplant antibiotics on recurrence of infection and outcomes needs to be further studied. DISCLOSURES: Nicolas C. Issa, MD, AiCuris: Grant/Research Support|Merck: Grant/Research Support.