Infectious Complications in Kidney Transplant: A Lebanese Perspective

Abstract

Objectives: Infections remain a frequent, potentially life-threatening complication of kidney transplant. Subjects and Methods: Between 1998 and 2006, we evaluated the incidence of infections in 114 kidney transplant patients, with a 1-year follow-up. All patients received a posttransplant anti-infectious prophylaxis regimen. Induction therapy was given to 94 patients (82.4%), and maintenance immunosuppression consisted of calcineurin inhibitor (cyclosporin microemulsion or tacrolimus), together with mycophenolate mofetil and prednisone.

Results: In total, 56 patients (49.1%) developed a total of 95 infections up to 1-year after kidney transplant, including 46 in-hospital infections in 38 patients. Bacterial infections were the most frequent (97.8%), and were mainly urinary, followed by drain, central line catheter, and pulmonary infections. The most-frequent isolated bacteria were E. coli, followed by Klebsiella, Acinetobacter, and Pseudomonas. No viral infections were detected. Up to 1 year after discharge from the hospital, 49 infections occurred in 26 patients, of which 79.5% were bacterial; mainly urinary tract infections due to E. coli, in addition to 7 cases of cytomegalovirus, 1 herpes, and 2 cases of fungal infections.

Conclusions: This is the first Lebanese study that deals with posttransplant infections in kidney transplant patients and underscores the importance of close patient monitoring and follow-up. Comparison with international data shows similar patterns.