Biopsy-proven fungal pyelonephritis complicating delayed graft function in a renal transplant patient. 2023

Aaron Jesuthasan, and Candice Roufosse, and Arun Ramaswami
Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK aaronjesuthasan@gmail.com.

Delayed graft function (DGF) is a common phenomenon following renal transplantation, which can be due to several factors. A rare cause includes invasive fungal infections, which can often be a challenge to diagnose. Nonetheless, prompt identification of such infections particularly within transplant patients is essential as they can lead to severe downstream sequelae, including graft loss and even death. We describe here a challenging case of fungal pyelonephritis complicating and potentially leading to DGF and further dialysis dependence within a renal transplant patient. Notably, we highlight the importance and clinical utility of biopsy to confirm the diagnosis, as investigations may be largely normal otherwise. Furthermore, we emphasise that with early identification of these infections, effective antifungal treatment can be commenced in a timely fashion leading to better patient outcomes and good graft function.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D011704 Pyelonephritis Inflammation of the KIDNEY involving the renal parenchyma (the NEPHRONS); KIDNEY PELVIS; and KIDNEY CALICES. It is characterized by ABDOMINAL PAIN; FEVER; NAUSEA; VOMITING; and occasionally DIARRHEA. Necrotizing Pyelonephritis,Pyelonephritis, Acute Necrotizing,Pyelonephritides
D006084 Graft Rejection An immune response with both cellular and humoral components, directed against an allogeneic transplant, whose tissue antigens are not compatible with those of the recipient. Transplant Rejection,Rejection, Transplant,Transplantation Rejection,Graft Rejections,Rejection, Graft,Rejection, Transplantation,Rejections, Graft,Rejections, Transplant,Rejections, Transplantation,Transplant Rejections,Transplantation Rejections
D006085 Graft Survival The survival of a graft in a host, the factors responsible for the survival and the changes occurring within the graft during growth in the host. Graft Survivals,Survival, Graft,Survivals, Graft
D006435 Renal Dialysis Therapy for the insufficient cleansing of the BLOOD by the kidneys based on dialysis and including hemodialysis, PERITONEAL DIALYSIS, and HEMODIAFILTRATION. Dialysis, Extracorporeal,Dialysis, Renal,Extracorporeal Dialysis,Hemodialysis,Dialyses, Extracorporeal,Dialyses, Renal,Extracorporeal Dialyses,Hemodialyses,Renal Dialyses
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001706 Biopsy Removal and pathologic examination of specimens from the living body. Biopsies
D012189 Retrospective Studies Studies used to test etiologic hypotheses in which inferences about an exposure to putative causal factors are derived from data relating to characteristics of persons under study or to events or experiences in their past. The essential feature is that some of the persons under study have the disease or outcome of interest and their characteristics are compared with those of unaffected persons. Retrospective Study,Studies, Retrospective,Study, Retrospective
D012307 Risk Factors An aspect of personal behavior or lifestyle, environmental exposure, inborn or inherited characteristic, which, based on epidemiological evidence, is known to be associated with a health-related condition considered important to prevent. Health Correlates,Risk Factor Scores,Risk Scores,Social Risk Factors,Population at Risk,Populations at Risk,Correlates, Health,Factor, Risk,Factor, Social Risk,Factors, Social Risk,Risk Factor,Risk Factor Score,Risk Factor, Social,Risk Factors, Social,Risk Score,Score, Risk,Score, Risk Factor,Social Risk Factor
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
D051799 Delayed Graft Function General dysfunction of an organ occurring immediately following its transplantation. The term most frequently refers to renal dysfunction following KIDNEY TRANSPLANTATION. Graft Function, Delayed

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