Risk Factors for Urinary Tract Infection After Kidney Transplant: A Retrospective Analysis

Abstract

Objectives: Urinary tract infections are the most common type of infections in kidney transplant recipients. They are also important factors for increased morbidity and mortality. The aims of this study were to evaluate the number of urinary tract infections, to identify possible donor/receiver-based risk factors, and to evaluate the impact of these infections on graft function.

Materials and Methods: Medical records of patients who had undergone kidney transplant between 2010 and 2017 were retrospectively analyzed.

Results: Our study included 145 patients (49 women [33.8%] and 96 men [66.2%]), with mean age of 35.2 +/- 12.4 years. There were 105 episodes of urinary tract infections in 55 of 145 patients (37.9%) during the first year after transplant. Female sex (P = .001), glomerulonephritis as primary kidney disease (P = .04), pretransplant diabetes (P = .05), and presence of ureteral stent (P = .03) were significant risk factors for the development of urinary tract infections. The most frequent pathogens identified were Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Mean glomerular filtration rate at 12 months was significantly lower in patients with urinary tract infection than in patients without infection (80 +/- 25 vs 68 +/- 28 mL/min; P = .006).

Conclusions: In kidney transplant recipients, urinary tract infections are common complications and have negative outcomes on graft function. These infections remain an important disease that requires frequent investigations and new ways of approach for prevention.