title: Pulmonary infections after renal transplantation.
abstract: The prevalence of pulmonary infections has been assessed in a series of 93 patients who succumbed after renal transplantation. Pneumonia was considered to be the immediate cause of death in 15 patients; microscopic examination revealed further 10 cases, with pneumonic foci in the lungs. Consequently, the prevalence of pulmonary infections was 27%. Pneumonia was diagnosed on chest X-ray in only 48%, with "uraemic lung" as the most common confounding diagnosis. Clinical microbiology disclosed pathogenic bacteria in the sputum in 40% of the cases. It is concluded that the diagnostic yield would be enhanced by more frequent chest X-rays and presumably with more invasive methods of acquiring specimens for microbiological studies. It is also possible that the application of more stringent criteria for the use of high-dose intravenous steroids for supposed rejection will lead to less pneumonia in patients with renal transplants.
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000401:mortality; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000401:mortality; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents