title: Muco-cutaneous manifestations in 178 renal transplant recipients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mucosal membrane and skin can be affected by immunosuppressive drug(s) and immunosuppression itself. The spectrum of muco-cutaneous lesions can range from malignancy at one end to infection, iatrogenic lesions, and esthetic effects on the other end.
  
  
  METHODS
  In Razi Hospital of Guilan University of Medical Sciences, a cross-sectional study for the detection of muco-cutaneous lesions in 178 renal transplant recipients (RTRs) was conducted from the years 2001 to 2006. Biopsy and skin scraping according to the type of skin lesions were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 31 RTRs (25%) had normal skin. Iatrogenic lesions were the most common (70%) followed by infectious lesions (57%), and miscellaneous skin lesions were exhibited by 26% of the patients. Among the iatrogenic skin lesions, gingival hyperplasia was the most common lesion (48%), followed by hypertrichosis and acne. Malignant lesions (biopsy proven) were recorded in seven patients (5%). Four patients were found to have Kaposi's sarcoma, and three patients were identified with basal cell carcinoma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results showed that muco-cutaneous lesions are crucial problems with RTRs. Attending physicians must pay close attention to skin care regularly and consider reduction of immunosuppression to a safe level, and patient must have self-checkups.
authors.affiliation: Department of Renal Transplantation, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran. masoud@gums.ac.ir
authors.forename: Masoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khosravi
authors.forename: Javad
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Golchai
authors.forename: Gholamreza
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mokhtari
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D015996:Survival Rate; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents