Pulmonary infections after kidney transplantation.
Seventy-five pulmonary infections out of 173 kidney transplantations have been observed in 62 graft-recipients, from 1965 to 1973. The aetiologic organism is a bacteria in 80%  of the cases, a fungus in 8% of the cases, cytomegalovirus and Pneumocystis Carinii in 11% of the cases. A close relationship between infection and a previous transplant crisis was noted in 66% of the cases. The most efficient diagnostic procedures were pleural and open lung biopsy as well as cultures of blood, pleural fluid and tracheobronchial secretions. Treatment was effective in 60% of bacterial and Pneumocystitis Carinii infections; on the other hand, it was less useful in fungal infections and totally ineffective in cytomegalovirus infections. Despite a possible increase in the risk of rejection, reduction or even arrest of immunosuppressive therapy is recommended in severe infections.
D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000150:complications; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008171:Lung Diseases; D008172:Lung Diseases, Fungal; D011020:Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / Q000150:complications; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000150:complications