Duration of Prophylaxis against Fungal Infection in Kidney Transplant Recipients

Oropharyngeal candidiasis outcomes in renal transplant recipients receiving nystatin versus no antifungal prophylaxis

OBJECTIVE

To compare the incidence of oropharyngeal candidiasis (OC), or thrush, in renal transplant recipients receiving nystatin versus no antifungal prophylaxis.

METHODS

This was a single-center, retrospective, non-inferiority study of adult renal transplant recipients (RTRs) who received nystatin for 30 days for OC prophylaxis (nystatin group) or no antifungal prophylaxis therapy (No PPX group). The primary outcome was the incidence of OC within 3 months post-transplant. Secondary outcomes included time to OC occurrence and severity of OC. The pre-specified non-inferiority margin was 10%.

RESULTS

The incidence of OC within 3 months post-transplant among 257 RTRs was 7.8% (10/128) in the No PPX group and 4.7% (6/129) RTRs in the nystatin group, a risk difference of 3.2% (95% CI, -2.7% to 9.1%, non-inferiority P = .04). The median time to OC was 7.5 days (IQR 6.3-34.3 days) in the nystatin group and 9.5 days (IQR 5.3-30.5 days) in the No PPX group (P = .64). Esophageal candidiasis was observed in 10% (1/10) of RTRs with OC in the No PPX group compared to 16.7% (1/6) RTRs in the nystatin group (P = 1.00). All RTRs with OC achieved symptom resolution with fluconazole and/or nystatin. Two patients in the No PPX group required readmission for decreased oral intake, and OC was diagnosed and treated during their hospital day.

CONCLUSIONS

In this retrospective study of adult RTRs, the absence of antifungal prophylaxis demonstrated non-inferiority to 30-day nystatin prophylaxis at reducing the incidence of OC within 3 months of transplant. OC prophylaxis may not be warranted after renal transplant.

Review of Infectious Disease Prophylaxis in Solid Organ Transplantation

As immunosuppressive therapy has evolved over the years, rejection rates in solid organ transplant have declined, but infections remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in this population. Prophylaxis against bacterial, viral, and fungal infections is often used to prevent infection from common pathogens during high-risk periods. As an integral part of the multidisciplinary medical team, it is important that nurses caring for transplant recipients be familiar with methods to detect and prevent infectious diseases in this population. This article presents a review of risk factors for and prevalence of common infectious pathogens, as well as important considerations regarding prophylactic medications in solid organ transplant recipients.