Pulmonary Infection after Kidney Transplantation / 대한이식학회지

ABSTRACT

The infectious complications after renal transplantation remain as an important causes of both mortality and graft loss. The lung is the most common target for post-transplant infection. We analyzed the causative agents, treatments and outcomes of post-transplant pulmonary infections. From 1990 to 1998, 192 renal allografts were performed at Hallym University Hospital. Seven cases (3.6%) of 5 males and 2 females developed serious pulmonary infections and required hospitalization. The mean age was 42.6 years. The onsets of pulmonary infections were from a month to 6 months in 3 cases, from 6 months to a year in one case and after a year in 3 cases. Triple therapy regimen was used in 4 cases as an immunosuppression therapy. Acute rejections developed in 6 cases. Causative organisms were Cytomegalovirus in 2 cases, Mycobacteria in 2 cases, Aspergillus in a case, Nocardia in a case and unknown in a case. Despite appropriate antibiotics, four patients did not respond to the treatment and died. The early recognition of infection and appropriate therapy is important to reduce fatal consequence.