Infectious complications in kidney transplant: a Lebanese perspective.
OBJECTIVE
Infections remain a frequent, potentially life-threatening complication of kidney transplant.


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.
Abou-Jaoude
Maroun M
MM
Transplant Unit, Sacre-Coeur Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon.
Nawfal
Naji
N
Shaheen
Joseph
J
Daoud
Ziad
Z
Almawi
Wassim Y
WY
D000328:Adult; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D044466:Asian People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000209:etiology*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015994:Incidence; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000208:ethnology*; D007861:Lebanon / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009181:Mycoses / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology; D010351:Patient Discharge; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents