Infectious complications in kidney transplantation: a 25-year retrospective study
Abstract Introduction Infectious complications remain a significant challenge in kidney transplant recipients, exacerbated by immunosuppressive therapy. This study aimed to analyze the patterns, prevalence, and predictors of infections in kidney transplant patients over 25 years at our center. Metho...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2025-06-01
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| Series: | The Egyptian Journal of Internal Medicine |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43162-025-00486-x |
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| author | Zaineb Kaouiri Meryem Benbella Loubna Benamar Naima Ouzeddoun Tarik Bouattar |
| author_facet | Zaineb Kaouiri Meryem Benbella Loubna Benamar Naima Ouzeddoun Tarik Bouattar |
| author_sort | Zaineb Kaouiri |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Introduction Infectious complications remain a significant challenge in kidney transplant recipients, exacerbated by immunosuppressive therapy. This study aimed to analyze the patterns, prevalence, and predictors of infections in kidney transplant patients over 25 years at our center. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 123 kidney transplant recipients between 1998 and 2023. Data included demographic, clinical, and microbiological characteristics, with infections categorized into three post-transplant periods: early (≤ 1 month), intermediate (1–6 months), and late (> 6 months). Statistical analyses identified risk factors and outcomes associated with infections. Results A total of 390 infectious episodes were recorded. Early infections were predominantly bacterial (71.4%), primarily urinary tract infections. Viral infections, particularly cytomegalovirus, were more prevalent during the intermediate period (39%). Late infections included respiratory and opportunistic pathogens, with viral infections accounting for 36%. UTIs were the most common infection across all periods (127 episodes), with Escherichia coli as the leading pathogen. Prolonged catheterization and female sex were significant predictors of recurrent UTIs (p < 0.001). Infection-induced acute kidney injury occurred in 34% of cases, leading to sustained renal dysfunction in 49% of these episodes. Mortality due to infections was 5.7%, with COVID-19 as the leading cause. Conclusion Infectious complications, particularly UTIs and viral infections, significantly impact kidney transplant outcomes. Targeted prevention strategies, including optimized catheter management and tailored immunosuppression, are essential to reduce infection-related morbidity and mortality. Further research is needed to refine protocols and improve long-term transplant success. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0a168342c2de4bf39d9495c87877adaa |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2090-9098 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | The Egyptian Journal of Internal Medicine |
| spelling | doaj-art-0a168342c2de4bf39d9495c87877adaa2025-08-20T03:45:32ZengSpringerOpenThe Egyptian Journal of Internal Medicine2090-90982025-06-013711910.1186/s43162-025-00486-xInfectious complications in kidney transplantation: a 25-year retrospective studyZaineb Kaouiri0Meryem Benbella1Loubna Benamar2Naima Ouzeddoun3Tarik Bouattar4Mohammed V UniversityMohammed V UniversityMohammed V UniversityMohammed V UniversityMohammed V UniversityAbstract Introduction Infectious complications remain a significant challenge in kidney transplant recipients, exacerbated by immunosuppressive therapy. This study aimed to analyze the patterns, prevalence, and predictors of infections in kidney transplant patients over 25 years at our center. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 123 kidney transplant recipients between 1998 and 2023. Data included demographic, clinical, and microbiological characteristics, with infections categorized into three post-transplant periods: early (≤ 1 month), intermediate (1–6 months), and late (> 6 months). Statistical analyses identified risk factors and outcomes associated with infections. Results A total of 390 infectious episodes were recorded. Early infections were predominantly bacterial (71.4%), primarily urinary tract infections. Viral infections, particularly cytomegalovirus, were more prevalent during the intermediate period (39%). Late infections included respiratory and opportunistic pathogens, with viral infections accounting for 36%. UTIs were the most common infection across all periods (127 episodes), with Escherichia coli as the leading pathogen. Prolonged catheterization and female sex were significant predictors of recurrent UTIs (p < 0.001). Infection-induced acute kidney injury occurred in 34% of cases, leading to sustained renal dysfunction in 49% of these episodes. Mortality due to infections was 5.7%, with COVID-19 as the leading cause. Conclusion Infectious complications, particularly UTIs and viral infections, significantly impact kidney transplant outcomes. Targeted prevention strategies, including optimized catheter management and tailored immunosuppression, are essential to reduce infection-related morbidity and mortality. Further research is needed to refine protocols and improve long-term transplant success.https://doi.org/10.1186/s43162-025-00486-x |
| spellingShingle | Zaineb Kaouiri Meryem Benbella Loubna Benamar Naima Ouzeddoun Tarik Bouattar Infectious complications in kidney transplantation: a 25-year retrospective study The Egyptian Journal of Internal Medicine |
| title | Infectious complications in kidney transplantation: a 25-year retrospective study |
| title_full | Infectious complications in kidney transplantation: a 25-year retrospective study |
| title_fullStr | Infectious complications in kidney transplantation: a 25-year retrospective study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Infectious complications in kidney transplantation: a 25-year retrospective study |
| title_short | Infectious complications in kidney transplantation: a 25-year retrospective study |
| title_sort | infectious complications in kidney transplantation a 25 year retrospective study |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43162-025-00486-x |
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