Abstract
BACKGROUND Noncultured autologous melanocyte keratinocyte transplantation is considered a safe and effective treatment option in stable vitiligo. Factors associated with risk of infection are still poorly explored. OBJECTIVE To search for factors associated with the risk of infection after noncultured autologous melanocyte keratinocyte transplantation (MKTP). METHOD This was a retrospective multicentric study including all patients with vitiligo who had undergone noncultured autologous MKTP between January 2010 and December 2020. Data included age, sex, site, and size of the treated area, recipient area preparation method, and antibiotic prescription preceding the procedure. Univariate and multivariate analyses to search for factors associated with infection after MKTP were conducted. RESULTS A total of 672 patients were included. Infection was present in 39 of the patients (6%) (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.2%-7.7%). The following factors were independently associated with higher rate of infection: cryotherapy for recipient area preparation (OR 19.76, 95% CI: 3.21-121.74) and treated lesions on the trunk (OR 2.67, 95% CI: 1.21-5.90), lower extremity (OR 5.99, 95% CI: 2.49-14.40), and foot (OR 13.15, 95% CI: 4.37-39.62). CONCLUSION Infection after noncultured autologous MKTP is not uncommon. Cryotherapy for recipient area preparation and lesions on the trunk, lower extremity, or foot was independently associated with an increased risk of infection.