Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Influenza A Infection in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Single-Center Experience

Background. Influenza virus infection can cause severe illness in certain high-risk groups. Solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients have been shown to present a greater risk for severe influenza and complications than the general population. Methods. Retrospective descriptive cohort study of the features and outcomes of influenza infection in renal transplant recipients from July 2009 to May 2014. Results. Thirty-one patients were diagnosed with influenza A infection within the specified period. The incidence of influenza A was 26.5 cases/1,000 person-years. Hospital admission (68%), secondary bacterial pneumonia (68%), intensive care unit admission (14%), and mortality rate (14%) were higher than reported for immunocompetent patients. Conclusions. Influenza diagnosis and treatment should be prompt in immunocompromised patients to reduce the risk of complications. Patients who require intensive care owing to respiratory and hemodynamic complications present high mortality rates.