MRSA and VRE Colonization in Solid Organ Transplantation: A Meta-Analysis of Published Studies

The burden of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) colonization among the increasing number of solid organ transplant patients has not been systematically explored. We searched PubMed and EMBASE for pertinent articles, performed a meta-analysis of prevalence across eligible studies and estimated the risk of ensuing MRSA or VRE infections relative to colonization status. We stratified effects in the pretransplant and posttransplant period. Twenty-three studies were considered eligible. Seventeen out of 23 (74%) referred to liver transplants. Before transplantation, the pooled prevalence estimate for MRSA and VRE was 8.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.2-15.8) and 11.9% (95% CI 6.8-18.2), respectively. MRSA estimate was influenced by small studies and was lower (4.0%; 95% CI 0.4-10.2) across large studies (>200 patients). After transplantation, the prevalence estimates were 9.4% (95% CI 3.0-18.5) for MRSA and 16.2% (95% CI 10.7-22.6) for VRE. Pretransplant as well as posttransplant MRSA colonization significantly increased the risk for MRSA infections (pooled risk ratio [RR] 5.51; 95% CI 2.36-12.90 and RR 10.56; 95% CI 5.58-19.95, respectively). Pretransplant and posttransplant VRE colonization were also associated with significant risk of VRE infection (RR 6.65; 95% CI 2.54-17.41 and RR 7.93; 95% CI 2.36-26.67, respectively). Solid organ transplantation is a high-risk setting for MRSA and VRE colonization, and carrier state is associated with infection. Upgraded focus in prevention and eradication strategies is warranted.