Bacterial Infections in Renal Transplant Recipients

BACKGROUND

Patients after kidney transplantation are highly susceptible to infections owing to immunosuppression as well as other risk factors--extended hospitalization, Foley catheterization, and double J catheter insertion among others. Bacterial infections, especially shortly after operation, are a major threat to the graft function. The aims of this study were to identify risk factors of bacterial infections after kidney transplantation and to determine the impact of those infections on the subsequent renal function.

METHODS

One hundred twenty patients who underwent kidney transplantation in 2013 and 2014 were examined in our study for possible risk factors of bacterial infections and for possible outcome of such infections on their future condition.

RESULTS

Among 120 patients under observation, 50 (41.7%) had early infectious complications (during hospitalization), 41 (82%) of which were urinary tract infections (UTI). The second most common infectious complication was infection of the surgical wound. Statistically significant results were obtained only for patient's age and duration of hospital stay (P = .001 and P = .000004, respectively). Bacterial infection resulted in longer hospital stay, higher reoperation risk, and lower creatinine clearance in the 14 days after transplantation (P = .000004, P = .0142, and P = .0455, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Bacterial infections influence mainly the short-term condition of kidney transplant recipients: extended hospital stay, decreased early creatinine clearance, and enhanced risk of reoperation. The most common risk factors, such as Foley catheterization, double J catheter insertion, and diabetes, were not significant in our observation.

Maternal reproductive history and the risk of isolated congenital malformations

We examined the relationship between maternal reproductive history and the newborn's risk of isolated congenital malformations in a large case-control cohort from the Polish Registry of Congenital Malformations. Congenital malformations were classified into four categories: isolated congenital heart defects (n=1673), isolated cleft palate (n=255), cleft lip with or without cleft palate (n=448) and renal agenesis (n=103). The case groups were compared with a shared group of 2068 controls recruited in the same time period and geographic area. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the risk associated with maternal gravidity and of previous miscarriages after accounting for maternal age and other potential risk factors. In unadjusted analyses, maternal gravidity was significantly associated with increased risk of all four classes of congenital malformations. After adjustment, a significant association persisted for congenital heart defects [odds ratio (OR)=1.22, [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.09, 1.36], P=0.0007] and cleft lip with or without cleft palate (OR=1.21, [95% CI 1.09, 1.36], P=0.0005). A similar trend existed for isolated cleft palate (OR=1.18, [95% CI 1.02, 1.37], P=0.03). There was no appreciable increase in the risk of congenital malformations associated with a maternal history of miscarriages, but a trend for a protective effect on the occurrence of cleft lip with or without cleft palate was observed (OR=0.72, [95% CI 0.52, 0.99], P=0.045). Based on our data, maternal gravidity represents a significant risk factor for congenital heart defects and cleft lip with or without cleft palate in the newborn infant. Our data do not support an increase in risk because of past history of miscarriages.