Opportunistic infections in renal allograft recipients. 2007

R K Gupta
Department of Pathology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India. rkgupta_1944@yahoo.com

Two major factors for successful organ transplantation are better control of rejection and better prevention and treatment of infections. In renal allograft recipients, immunosuppressive drug therapy is the major cause of immunocompromised status and occurrence of infections, which arise most commonly as a result of invasion by endogenous opportunists. It may also follow colonization by exogenous environmental organisms and via transfer of cytomegalovirus along with the transplanted kidney. The overall incidence of opportunistic infections varies from center to center; up to 15% of renal transplant recipients die of these infections. Clinical signs and symptoms of infection in immunocompromised patients may be concealed or imitated by the underlying disease, and a high index of clinical suspicion is vital. The unusual pathogens encountered in these patients demand thorough investigation. A total of 84 opportunistic infections encountered in renal allograft recipients during histopathologic and cytopathological evaluation of various specimens during the last 15 years is presented in this report. Invasive fungal infections were the most common pathogens, amounting to 55% of all infections. The dramatic increase in the diversity and number of opportunistic infections detected in these patients is not only due to an increasing population of susceptible individuals but also due to an improved recognition by advanced laboratory diagnostic techniques. The success of management of opportunistic infections depends on strong clinical suspicion, early diagnosis, and prompt treatment. The challenges of early diagnosis of opportunistic infections and prompt treatment are great; the rewards are even greater.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007166 Immunosuppressive Agents Agents that suppress immune function by one of several mechanisms of action. Classical cytotoxic immunosuppressants act by inhibiting DNA synthesis. Others may act through activation of T-CELLS or by inhibiting the activation of HELPER CELLS. While immunosuppression has been brought about in the past primarily to prevent rejection of transplanted organs, new applications involving mediation of the effects of INTERLEUKINS and other CYTOKINES are emerging. Immunosuppressant,Immunosuppressive Agent,Immunosuppressants,Agent, Immunosuppressive,Agents, Immunosuppressive
D009181 Mycoses Diseases caused by FUNGI. Fungus Diseases,Fungal Diseases,Fungal Infections,Fungus Infections,Disease, Fungal,Disease, Fungus,Diseases, Fungal,Diseases, Fungus,Fungal Disease,Fungal Infection,Fungus Disease,Fungus Infection,Infection, Fungal,Infection, Fungus,Infections, Fungal,Infections, Fungus
D009894 Opportunistic Infections An infection caused by an organism which becomes pathogenic under certain conditions, e.g., during immunosuppression. Infection, Opportunistic,Infections, Opportunistic,Opportunistic Infection
D010272 Parasitic Diseases Infections or infestations with PARASITES. They are often contracted through contact with an intermediate vector, but may occur as the result of direct exposure. Parasite Infections,Parasitic Infections,Disease, Parasitic,Diseases, Parasitic,Infection, Parasite,Infection, Parasitic,Infections, Parasite,Infections, Parasitic,Parasite Infection,Parasitic Disease,Parasitic Infection
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001424 Bacterial Infections Infections by bacteria, general or unspecified. Bacterial Disease,Bacterial Infection,Infection, Bacterial,Infections, Bacterial,Bacterial Diseases
D013530 Surgical Wound Infection Infection occurring at the site of a surgical incision. Postoperative Wound Infection,Infection, Postoperative Wound,Infection, Surgical Wound,Surgical Site Infection,Wound Infection, Postoperative,Wound Infection, Surgical,Infection, Surgical Site,Infections, Postoperative Wound,Infections, Surgical Site,Infections, Surgical Wound,Postoperative Wound Infections,Surgical Site Infections,Surgical Wound Infections,Wound Infections, Postoperative,Wound Infections, Surgical
D014184 Transplantation, Homologous Transplantation between individuals of the same species. Usually refers to genetically disparate individuals in contradistinction to isogeneic transplantation for genetically identical individuals. Transplantation, Allogeneic,Allogeneic Grafting,Allogeneic Transplantation,Allografting,Homografting,Homologous Transplantation,Grafting, Allogeneic
D014777 Virus Diseases A general term for diseases caused by viruses. Viral Diseases,Viral Infections,Virus Infections,Disease, Viral,Disease, Virus,Diseases, Viral,Diseases, Virus,Infection, Viral,Infection, Virus,Infections, Viral,Infections, Virus,Viral Disease,Viral Infection,Virus Disease,Virus Infection
D016030 Kidney Transplantation The transference of a kidney from one human or animal to another. Grafting, Kidney,Renal Transplantation,Transplantation, Kidney,Transplantation, Renal,Kidney Grafting,Kidney Transplantations,Renal Transplantations,Transplantations, Kidney,Transplantations, Renal

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