Background:

Hospital-acquired infection, often with Staphylococcus aureus, is an important complication in intestinal transplant.

Clinical case:

A 2-year-old girl underwent small bowel transplantation owing to a small bowel volvulus. On the first postoperative day, lymphocyte phenotypes, serum immunoglobulins and chemotactic and phagocytic activity of neutrophils were assessed in peripheral blood. A decrease in the ingestion phase of phagocytosis by neutrophils was identified, in comparison with the results of 20 healthy children. On the second day, the patient had low fever and, on the third, abdominal pain. In view of this, she underwent a laparotomy that revealed purulent ascites due to Staphylococcus aureus. Specific treatment resulted in rapid regression of the infectious condition and good evolution of the patient.

Conclusions:

A decrease in the ingestion stage of phagocytosis by neutrophils preceded staphylococcal purulent ascites clinical manifestations, and immunologic assessment contributed to early diagnosis and treatment of the infection. We believe evaluation of neutrophilic activity is important in patients undergoing intestinal transplantation in order for possible hospital-acquired infections to be early diagnosed.

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