F-18 FDG PET evaluation of opportunistic infections in renal transplant recipients

ABSTRACT

Renal transplantation is the most common type of organ transplantation. However, infection is a major complication among renal transplant recipients, including pneumonia, one of the most frequent life-threatening complications of long-term immunosuppression. Invasive fungal infections are among the most common pathogens. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment of opportunistic infections are crucial in decreasing mortality. There have been cases reported where the use of F-18 Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron mission tomography (PET) was helpful in the diagnosis of fungal disease in immunocompromised patients. Here we present two of such cases.