Pseudoaneurismas infecciosos (micóticos) de la arteria renal en receptores de trasplante renal

Candida chorioretinitis in renal transplant recipient with candidemia related to contaminated organ preservation fluid: A role for dilated fundus examination in its management

Infection by Candida spp is a potentially life-threatening condition among both immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients. Candida chorioretinitis can occur as a complication of candidemia and may develop into endophthalmitis if not detected and treated early, which can lead to irreversible visual loss. Here, we report on a 52-year-old diabetic woman who developed candidemia complicated by bilateral chorioretinitis following kidney transplantation. Antifungal therapy was immediately started but fundoscopic examination highlighted multiple bilateral chorioretinal lesions. Given new onset of vomiting and increased number of retinal lesions on repeat fundus examination a few weeks later, the patient underwent a positron emission tomography (PET) which revealed a mycotic arterial pseudoaneurysm at the renal graft anastomosis. It led ineluctably to transplantectomy, aneurysm flattening and vascular reconstruction a few days later. Blood cultures remained negative and fundus examination progressively showed a regression of chorioretinal lesions until their complete disappearance a few months later. Our case emphasizes the importance of a non-invasive examination which allowed to accelerate and optimize in a consequential way the management of the patient leading to her recovery after a long antifungal treatment.

Management of Transplant Renal Artery Pseudoaneurysm and Literature Review

Renal transplantation is the ultimate treatment for end-stage renal disease patients. However, vascular complications can impact renal allograft outcomes. Extrarenal pseudoaneurysms (EPSA) are a rare complication occurring in 1% of transplant recipients. We report a case series of extrarenal pseudoaneurysm after kidney transplant with different clinical presentations and management strategies. Given the rarity of EPSA, literature describing this complication is limited to single case reports or small retrospective case series. We also provide an up-to-date review of 76 articles on mycotic, bacterial, and idiopathic EPSAs. Allograft removal is considered standard treatment, but new endovascular alternatives may allow allograft salvage. EPSA should be managed with a multidisciplinary approach. Surveillance with renal ultrasound is recommended in patients considered high risk.

Infective Artery Rupture of Renal Allografts: A Single-Center Retrospective Study in China

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the composition of pathogenic microorganisms, clinical features, and therapeutic strategies of infective artery rupture of renal allografts in recipients receiving deceased donor (DD) kidneys.

METHODS

We retrospectively studied the clinical data of the DD kidney transplant recipients with donor-associated infection at Tongji Hospital, Wuhan, China from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2018, related recipients and corresponding donors. We collected the entire results of pathogenic microorganisms cultured from these related ruptured kidneys and then analyzed their distribution and differences.

RESULTS

A total of 1440 kidney transplants from DD were performed in our center. The total incidence of infective artery rupture in kidney transplants was about 0.76% (11/1440), and the annual incidence ranged from 0.25% to 1.03%. The microbial culture results revealed that 11 recipients suffered from infective artery rupture and 3 recipients who accepted the kidney from same donor had the donor-associated pathogens, including 9 fungal strains (28.1%) and 23 bacterial strains (71.9%). There were 4 recipients infected with multi-drug-resistant Staphylococcus and Klebsiella pneumoniae from the above 11 recipients, of which, 10 recipients underwent graft loss, and one died of septic shock. The microbial cultures of the remaining 3 recipients who received appropriate anti-infective regimens turned negative eventually, and the patients were discharged successfully without significant complications.

CONCLUSION

Renal recipients with infections derived from DDs were at high risk of artery rupture, graft loss, or even death. Appropriate anti-infective treatment is essential to reduce the incidence of artery rupture and mortality.