Pneumococcal vaccination in adult solid organ transplant recipients: A review of current evidence

Therapeutic Myths in Solid Organ Transplantation Infectious Diseases

Infection management in solid organ transplantation poses unique challenges, with a diverse array of potential pathogens and associated antimicrobial therapies. With limited high-quality randomized clinical trials to direct optimal care, therapeutic "myths" may propagate and contribute to suboptimal or excessive antimicrobial use. We discuss 6 therapeutic myths with particular relevance to solid organ transplantation and provide recommendations for infectious diseases clinicians involved in the care of this high-risk population.

Pneumococcal Vaccine for Adults Aged ≥19 Years: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, United States, 2023

This report compiles and summarizes all published recommendations from CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for use of pneumococcal vaccines in adults aged ≥19 years in the United States. This report also includes updated and new clinical guidance for implementation from CDC

Before 2021, ACIP recommended 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) alone (up to 2 doses), or both a single dose of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) in combination with 1–3 doses of PPSV23 in series (PCV13 followed by PPSV23), for use in U.S. adults depending on age and underlying risk for pneumococcal disease. In 2021, two new pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs), a 15-valent and a 20-valent PCV (PCV15 and PCV20), were licensed for use in U.S. adults aged ≥18 years by the Food and Drug Administration

ACIP recommendations specify the use of either PCV20 alone or PCV15 in series with PPSV23 for all adults aged ≥65 years and for adults aged 19–64 years with certain underlying medical conditions or other risk factors who have not received a PCV or whose vaccination history is unknown. In addition, ACIP recommends use of either a single dose of PCV20 or ≥1 dose of PPSV23 for adults who have started their pneumococcal vaccine series with PCV13 but have not received all recommended PPSV23 doses. Shared clinical decision-making is recommended regarding use of a supplemental PCV20 dose for adults aged ≥65 years who have completed their recommended vaccine series with both PCV13 and PPSV23

Updated and new clinical guidance for implementation from CDC includes the recommendation for use of PCV15 or PCV20 for adults who have received PPSV23 but have not received any PCV dose. The report also includes clinical guidance for adults who have received 7-valent PCV (PCV7) only and adults who are hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients

Improved plasmablast response after repeated pneumococcal revaccinations following primary immunization with 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine or 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia

BACKGROUND

Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) show an immune dysfunction with increased risk of infections and poor response to vaccination. Streptococcus pneumoniae is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in CLL patients. In a previous randomized clinical trial, we found a superior immune response in CLL patients receiving conjugated pneumococcal vaccine compared to non-conjugated vaccine. The response to revaccination in CLL patients is scarcely studied. In this study, early humoral response to repeated revaccinations with pneumococcal vaccines was evaluated, by determination of B cell subsets and plasmablast dynamics in peripheral blood.

METHOD

CLL patients (n = 14) and immunocompetent controls (n = 31) were revaccinated with a 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) after previous primary immunization (3-6 years ago) with PCV13 or a 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23). Eight weeks after the first revaccination, all CLL patients received a second revaccination with PCV13 or PPSV23. B cell subsets including plasmablasts were analyzed in peripheral blood by flow cytometry, before and after the first and the second revaccination.

RESULTS

None of the CLL patients, but all controls, had detectable plasmablasts at baseline (p < 0.001). After the first revaccination with PCV13, the plasmablast proportions did not increase in CLL patients (p = 0.13), while increases were seen in controls (p < 0.001). However, after a second revaccination with PCV13 or PPSV23, plasmablasts increased compared to baseline also in CLL patients (p < 0.01). If no response was evident after first revaccination, only a second revaccination with PCV13 increased plasmablasts in contrast to PPSV23 revaccination. Patients with hypogammaglobulinemia and ongoing/previous CLL specific treatment responded poorly, also to a second revaccination.

CONCLUSION

In CLL patients, pneumococcal revaccination induced minor early plasmablast response compared to controls, but the response improved using a strategy of repeated doses with of conjugated T cell dependent pneumococcal vaccine.

Specificities of Meningitis and Meningo-Encephalitis After Kidney Transplantation: A French Retrospective Cohort Study

Kidney transplant recipients develop atypical infections in their epidemiology, presentation and outcome. Among these, meningitis and meningoencephalitis require urgent and adapted anti-infectious therapy, but published data is scarce in KTRs. The aim of this study was to describe their epidemiology, presentation and outcome, in order to improve their diagnostic and management. We performed a retrospective, multicentric cohort study in 15 French hospitals that included all 199 cases of M/ME in KTRs between 2007 and 2018 (0.9 case per 1,000 KTRs annually). Epidemiology was different from that in the general population: 20% were due to Cryptococcus neoformans, 13.5% to varicella-zoster virus, 5.5% to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and 4.5% to Enterobacteria (half of which produced extended spectrum beta-lactamases), and 5% were Post Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorders. Microorganisms causing M/ME in the general population were infrequent (2%, for Streptococcus pneumoniae) or absent (Neisseria meningitidis). M/ME caused by Enterobacteria, Staphylococci or filamentous fungi were associated with high and early mortality (50%-70% at 1 year). Graft survival was not associated with the etiology of M/ME, nor was impacted by immunosuppression reduction. Based on these results, we suggest international studies to adapt guidelines in order to improve the diagnosis and the probabilistic treatment of M/ME in SOTRs.

Notifiable Infectious Diseases Among Organ Transplant Recipients: A Data-Linked Cohort Study, 2000–2015

Background

Infections, including common communicable infections such as influenza, frequently cause disease after organ transplantation, although the quantitative extent of infection and disease remains uncertain.

Methods

A cohort study was conducted to define the burden of notifiable infectious diseases among all solid organ recipients transplanted in New South Wales, Australia, 2000–2015. Data linkage was used to connect transplant registers to hospital admissions, notifiable diseases, and the death register. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated relative to general population notification rates, accounting for age, sex, and calendar year. Infection-related hospitalizations and deaths were identified.

Results

Among 4858 solid organ recipients followed for 39 183 person-years (PY), there were 792 notifications. Influenza was the most common infection (532 cases; incidence, 1358 [95% CI, 1247–1478] per 100 000 PY), highest within 3 months posttransplant. Next most common was salmonellosis (46 cases; incidence, 117 [95% CI, 87–156] per 100 000 PY), then pertussis (38 cases; incidence, 97 [95% CI, 71–133] per 100 000 PY). Influenza and invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) showed significant excess cases compared with the general population (influenza SIR, 8.5 [95% CI, 7.8–9.2]; IPD SIR, 9.8 [95% CI, 6.9–13.9]), with high hospitalization rates (47% influenza cases, 68% IPD cases) and some mortality (4 influenza and 1 IPD deaths). By 10 years posttransplant, cumulative incidence of any vaccine-preventable disease was 12%, generally similar by transplanted organ, except higher among lung recipients. Gastrointestinal diseases, tuberculosis, and legionellosis had excess cases among transplant recipients, although there were few sexually transmitted infections and vector-borne diseases.

Conclusions

There is potential to avoid preventable infections among transplant recipients with improved vaccination programs, health education, and pretransplant donor and recipient screening.

Correlation of Fc Receptor Polymorphisms with Pneumococcal Antibodies in Vaccinated Kidney Transplant Recipients

Several polymorphisms within Fc receptors (FCR) have been described, some of which correlate with allograft function. In the current study, we determined three Fcγ receptor and five Fcα receptor dimorphisms in 47 kidney transplant recipients who had been vaccinated against Streptococcus pneumoniae. We analyzed if FCR genotypes correlated with pneumococcal antibodies and their serotype-specific opsonophagocytic function, tested prior to and at months 1 and 12 post-vaccination. In parallel, we assessed antibodies against HLA and MICA and determined kidney function. We observed that IgG2 antibodies against pneumococci at months 1 and 12 after vaccination and IgA antibodies at month 1 differed significantly between the carriers of the three genotypes of FCGR3A rs396991 (V158F, p = 0.02; 0.04 and 0.009, respectively). Moreover, the genotype of FCGR3A correlated with serotype-specific opsonophagocytic function, reaching statistical significance (p < 0.05) at month 1 for 9/13 serotypes and at month 12 for 6/13 serotypes. Heterozygotes for FCGR3A had the lowest antibody response after pneumococcal vaccination. On the contrary, heterozygotes tended to have more antibodies against HLA class I and impaired kidney function. Taken together, our current data indicate that heterozygosity for FCGR3A may be unfavorable in kidney transplant recipients.

Establishment of an ELISpot Assay to Detect Cellular Immunity against S. pneumoniae in Vaccinated Kidney Transplant Recipients

In organ transplant recipients, the rate of invasive pneumococcal diseases is 25 times greater than in the general population. Vaccination against S. pneumoniae is recommended in this cohort because it reduces the incidence of this severe form of pneumococcal infection. Previous studies indicate that transplant recipients can produce specific antibodies after pneumococcal vaccination. However, it remains unclear if vaccination also induces specific cellular immunity. In the current study on 38 kidney transplant recipients, we established an interferon-γ ELISpot assay that can detect serotype-specific cellular responses against S. pneumoniae. The results indicate that sequential vaccination with the conjugated vaccine Prevenar 13 and the polysaccharide vaccine Pneumovax 23 led to an increase of serotype-specific cellular immunity. We observed the strongest responses against the serotypes 9N and 14, which are both components of Pneumovax 23. Cellular responses against S. pneumoniae correlated positively with specific IgG antibodies (r = 0.32, p = 0.12). In conclusion, this is the first report indicating that kidney transplant recipients can mount specific cellular responses after pneumococcal vaccination. The ELISpot we established will allow for further investigations. These could help to define, for example, factors influencing specific cellular immunity in immunocompromised cohorts or the duration of cellular immunity after vaccination.

Immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine in solid organ transplant recipients

BACKGROUND

It is currently not well described if a two-dose regimen of a Covid-19 vaccine is sufficient to elicit an immune response in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients.

RESULTS

A total of 80 SOT recipients completed a two-dose regimen with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) messenger RNA vaccine. Only 35.0% (n = 28) were able to mount a positive IgG immune response 6 weeks after the second dose of vaccine.

CONCLUSION

This emphasizes that SOT recipients need continued use of personal protective measures. Future studies need to closely examine the cellular immune response in patients with compromised antibody response to Covid-19 vaccination.

Bacterial infections in lung transplantation

Lung transplantation has lower survival rates compared to other than other solid organ transplants (SOT) due to higher rates of infection and rejection-related complications, and bacterial infections (BI) are the most frequent infectious complications. Excess morbidity and mortality are not only a direct consequence of these BI, but so are subsequent loss of allograft tolerance, rejection, and chronic lung allograft dysfunction due to bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS). A wide variety of pathogens can cause infections in lung transplant recipients (LTRs), including a number of nosocomial pathogens and other multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens. Although pneumonia and intrathoracic infections predominate, LTRs are at risk of a number of types of infections. Risk factors include altered anatomy and function of airways, impaired immunity, the microbial flora of the donor and recipient, underlying medical conditions, and genetic factors. Further work on immune monitoring has the potential to improve outcomes. The infecting agents can be derived from the donor lung, pre-existing recipient flora, or acquired from the environment over time. Certain infections may preclude lung transplantation, but this varies from center to center, and more recent studies suggest fewer patients should be disqualified. New molecular methods allow microbiome studies of the lung, gut, and other sites that may further our knowledge of how airway colonization can result in infection and allograft loss. Surveillance, early diagnosis, and aggressive antimicrobial therapy of BI is critical in LTRs. Antibiotic resistance is a major barrier to successful management of these infections. The availability of new agents for MDR Gram-negatives may improve outcomes. Other new therapies, such as bacteriophage therapy, show promise for the future. Finally, it is important to prevent infections through peri-transplant prophylaxis, vaccination, and infection control measures.

An Observational Prospective Cohort Study of Incidence and Outcome of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Hemophilus influenzae Infections in Adult Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

BACKGROUND

Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) and Hemophilus influenzae (H. influenzae) are among the main vaccine-preventable bacterial infections in immunocompromised individuals including solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. There is a lack of information about incidence and outcomes of these infections in SOT recipients.

METHODS

We determined the incidence of S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae, the related hospitalization, and 30- and 180-days mortality in a large cohort of 1182 adult SOT recipients. We calculated 95% confidence intervals (CI) of incidence rate (IR) using Byar's approximation to the Poisson distribution.

RESULTS

The overall IR of S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae were 1086 (95% CI, 796-1448) and 1293 (95% CI, 974-1687) per 100,000 person-years of follow-up (PYFU), respectively. The IR of invasive infections were 76 (95% CI, 21-202) and 25 (95% CI, 2.3-118) per 100,000 PYFU, respectively. Hospital admission was required in >50%, 30-days mortality was 0, and 180-days mortality was 8.8% and 4.5% after S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae infections, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The IR of invasive S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae infections in SOT recipients were much higher than reports from the general population in Denmark. Furthermore, a large proportion of infected SOT recipients were hospitalized. These findings highlight the need for further studies to assess uptake and immunogenicity of vaccines against S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae in SOT recipients.

Pneumococcal Vaccination in Immunocompromised Hosts: An Update

Infections with the pathogen, Streptococcus pneumoniae, are a common cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. It particularly affects those at the extremes of age and immunocompromised individuals. Preventing pneumococcal disease is paramount in at risk individuals, and pneumococcal vaccination should be offered. Here, we discuss the role of pneumococcal vaccination in specific groups of immunocompromised hosts.

A randomized, controlled trial comparing the immunogenicity and safety of a 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccination to a repeated dose 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccination in adult liver transplant recipients

BACKGROUND

Solid organ transplant (SOT) patients are at significant risk for invasive pneumococcal disease. The optimal pneumococcal vaccination strategy for SOT patients is not known.

METHODS

The potential adult liver transplant recipients were randomised into two arms: to receive a 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) before the transplantation or to receive a 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) before the transplantation and a second dose of PCV13 six months after the transplantation. Serotype-specific antibody concentrations and opsonophagocytic activity (OPA) were measured before and after the first vaccination (visits V1,V2) and six and seven months after the transplantation, e.g. before and after the second PCV13 (visits V3,V4).

RESULTS

Out of 47 patients, 19 (PCV13 arm) and 17 (PPV23 arm) received a liver transplant and all these patients completed the study (36/47, 76,6%). Each vaccine schedule elicited a good immune response. At V2, the geometric mean concentrations (GMĆs) of antibodies for serotypes 6A, 7F and 23F, and the geometric mean titers (GMT́s) of OPA for serotypes 4, 6A, 6B and 23F were significantly higher for PCV13, but the proportions of patients reaching OPA cut-off ≥ 8 or ELISA cut-off ≥ 1.0 µg/ml did not differ between the arms. At V3 the antibody concentrations and the OPA had declined to baseline in both arms. The second PCV13 vaccination elicited an immune response. There was no difference in adverse events. No vaccine-related allograft rejection was detected.

CONCLUSIONS

The immunogenicity of PPV23 and PCV13 was comparable in this patient material, but the seroresponses waned after transplantation. The second dose of PCV13 restored the immune responses and was well tolerated.

The Immune Response to Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus Acquired Through Organ Transplantation

The human immune response to eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) infection is poorly characterized due to the rarity of infection. We examined the humoral and cellular immune response to EEEV acquired from an infected donor via liver transplantation. Both binding and highly neutralizing antibodies to EEEV as well as a robust EEEV-specific IgG memory B cell response were generated. Despite triple-drug immunosuppressive therapy, a virus-specific CD4+ T cell response, predominated by interferon-γ production, was generated. T cell epitopes on the E2 envelope protein were identified by interferon-γ ELISpot. Although these results are from a single person who acquired EEEV by a non-traditional mechanism, to our knowledge this work represents the first analysis of the human cellular immune response to EEEV.

Vaccination Against Urinary Tract Infection After Renal Transplantation

BACKGROUND

Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) increase mortality and reduce graft survival after renal transplantation. Because current prophylactic strategies such as methionine, cranberry juice, and antibiotics fail to sufficiently prevent recurrent infections in a substantial number of patients, there is a clinical need for alternative approaches. The present work describes first experiences with an immunization strategy against bacterial strains after kidney transplantation.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective single-center analysis of an immunization approach against 10 strains of inactivated bacteria (StroVac). A total of 14 renal transplant recipients with 3 or more UTI episodes/year underwent immunization with 3 subcutaneous injections of inactivated bacteria (follow-up 12 months before to 12 months after immunization). These patients were compared to 14 renal transplant patients without immunization who were matched for number of UTIs and time after transplantation (24 months follow-up). We compared the UTI incidence and potential side effects, including development of de novo donor-specific antibodies (DSA).

RESULTS

The immunization significantly decreased the incidence of UTIs from 3.4 ± 1.3 to 0.9 ± 1.0 by 74.9%. The incidence did not change from year 1 to year 2 of the observation period in the control group. Immunization was tolerated well, without any clinical complaints. There were no de novo DSAs in the first year after immunization.

CONCLUSIONS

Immunization against inactivated bacterial strains substantially reduced the incidence of UTIs without eliciting any safety concerns in this small cohort of renal transplant recipients. This strategy may be a helpful expansion of our preventive measures in patients with recurrent UTIs.

Vaccination in patients with chronic kidney disease-Review of current recommendations and recent advances

Hepatitis B virus (HBV), influenza, pneumococcus and herpes zoster are important infections which could result in significant morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). While seroconversion rates after vaccination are often lower in CKD patients compared with healthy adults due to impaired innate and adaptive immunity, vaccinations for HBV, influenza, pneumococcus and herpes zoster are generally effective in reducing the transmission and/or severity of these infections. Practical issues that have an impact on the efficacy of vaccination in the CKD population include the timing, dose, schedule of vaccination, the route of administration, and adjuncts applied at time of vaccination. This review discusses the vaccination regimens and the efficacy of HBV, influenza, pneumococcus and zoster vaccines in CKD patients, and highlights recent advances in enhancing vaccine seroconversion rates.

Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccination Followed by Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccination in Lung Transplant Candidates and Recipients

Background

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccination as well as pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccination are recommended for lung transplant candidates and recipients, but the combination of these vaccines has not been extensively studied in these specific populations.

Methods

Lung transplant candidates and recipients were vaccinated with a 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, followed 8 weeks later by a pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. Pneumococcal antibody levels against 13 pneumococcal serotypes were measured and followed up after 1 year in the transplant recipients. These values were compared with a historical control group vaccinated with the polysaccharide vaccine alone.

Results

Twenty-five lung transplant candidates and 23 lung transplant recipients were included. For the majority of serotypes, there was no significant increase in antibody levels after additional vaccination with the polysaccharide vaccine in both patient groups. When compared with the historical control group, the antibody response in lung transplant recipients 1 year after vaccination did not seem to have improved by vaccination with both vaccines instead of the polysaccharide vaccine alone.

Conclusions

Serologic vaccination responses in lung transplant candidates and recipients were not improved by giving a 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine after a 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. The benefit of this vaccination schedule in lung transplant recipients seems to differ from other immunocompromised populations. The optimal vaccination schedule for lung transplant candidates and recipients remains to be determined.

Humoral response to a 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in kidney transplant recipients

BACKGROUND

Vaccination against S. pneumoniae is recommended by national guidelines. Moderate immunogenicity of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) has been reported in adult kidney transplant recipients (KTR). This study further defines the immunogenicity of PCV13 in this cohort.

METHODS

49 KTR were immunized with PCV13. A validated opsonophagocytic killing assay (OPA), a global anti-pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide (anti-PCP) IgG, IgG2, IgM and IgA ELISA, and - for selected patients - a serotype specific anti-PCP WHO reference ELISA were performed pre-vaccination and at month 1 and 12 post-vaccination.

RESULTS

Geometric mean OPA titers increased significantly for 13/13 serotypes at month 1 and for 10/13 serotypes at month 12 post-vaccination. Vaccine response defined as an OPA titer ≥1:8 was reached in 9/13 serotypes (median). 53% reached the vaccine response criteria at month 1 and 45% at month 12. At month 1 after vaccination, the median OPA titer in an age-group matched healthy reference population was 5- to 10-fold higher than in KTR. OPA titers correlated strongly with results to the global and serotype specific anti-PCP IgG ELISA. Lower OPA titers significantly (p < 0.05) correlated with albuminuria, an interval between vaccination and transplantation <12 months, age and treatment with mycophenolate mofetil. Global IgG, IgG2, IgM and IgA, as well as serotype specific anti-PCP antibody concentrations (12/13 serotypes) increased significantly at month 1 and 12 post-vaccination.

CONCLUSIONS

Kidney transplant recipients show a significant humoral response after vaccination with PCV13. Functional antibody response exists, but is not as vigorous as in healthy adults.

Pneumococcal vaccination in lung transplant patients

Introduction: This review analyzes the efficacy of pneumococcal vaccinations in lung transplant patients before and after transplantation.Areas covered: This review addresses the risk for respiratory infections, in particular pneumococcal infections, in lung transplantation patients in the context of immunodeficiency and immunosuppressive medication. Vaccination is recommended to counteract the increased risk of pneumococcal infection, and the relevant guidelines are discussed in this review. The design of specific vaccination schedules is required because of the impaired antibody response in specific patient categories.Expert opinion: Lung transplantation candidates should be vaccinated with pneumococcal vaccines prior to transplantation. Currently, the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine offers the broadest coverage, but the antibody response should be monitored. New generation pneumococcal conjugate vaccines with equally broad serotype coverage could be used in the future. During the post-transplantation period, the immune status of the patients should be monitored regularly, and vaccination should be repeated when indicated.

Clinical practice guidelines 2019: Indian consensus-based recommendations on pneumococcal vaccination for adults

Similar to the global scenario, pneumococcal diseases are a significant health concern in India. Pneumococcal diseases occur frequently among adults and are largely preventable through vaccines. Globally, several guidelines and recommendations are available for pneumococcal vaccination in adults. However, owing to wide variations in the disease burden, regulatory landscape, and health-care system in India, such global guidelines cannot be unconditionally implemented throughout the country. To address these gaps, the Indian Chest Society and National College of Chest Physicians of India jointly conducted an expert meeting in January 2019. The aim of the discussion was to lay down specific evidence-based recommendations on adult pneumococcal vaccination for the country, with a view to further ameliorate the disease burden in the country. This article presents an overview of the closed-door discussion by the expert members on clinical practice guidelines to be followed for adult pneumococcal vaccination in India.

Practical Guide to Vaccination in All Stages of CKD, Including Patients Treated by Dialysis or Kidney Transplantation

Infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), including those receiving maintenance dialysis or with a kidney transplant. Although responses to vaccines are impaired in these populations, immunizations remain an important component of preventative care due to their favorable safety profiles and the high rate of infection in these patients. Most guidelines for patients with CKD focus on the importance of the hepatitis B, influenza, and pneumococcal vaccines in addition to age-appropriate immunizations. More data are needed to determine the clinical efficacy of these immunizations and others in this population and define optimal dosing and timing for administration. Studies have suggested that there may be a benefit to immunization before the onset of dialysis or transplantation because patients with early-stage CKD generally have higher rates of seroconversion. Because nephrologists often serve as primary care physicians for patients with CKD, it is important to understand the role of vaccinations in the preventive care of this patient population.

Common Questions and Misconceptions in the Management of Renal Transplant Patients: A Guide for Health Care Providers in the Posttransplant Setting

Once renal transplant recipients are stabilized and require less frequent follow-up with their transplant team, health care providers outside of the transplant setting play an integral role in patients' ongoing medical care. Given renal transplant recipients' inherent complexity, these health care providers often seek consult regarding decisions that may affect transplant-related medications or outcomes. In this review, we discuss answers to 10 of the questions commonly posed to our renal transplant team by other health care providers.