Infectious complications in renal transplant recipients

Infectious complications present major challenges to physicians caring for renal transplant recipients. The high rate of infection reflects the net state of immunosuppression associated with end-stage renal disease, transplantation, donor and environmental exposure. An understanding of the factors that affect the patients' overall state of immunosuppression is essential to prevent and treat infectious complications, which may lead to significant morbidity, graft dysfunction, or mortality. Familiarity with the various pathogens, clinical presentation, diagnostic options, treatment, and prophylaxis is important to care for renal transplant patients. The authors present their approach, based on review of current literature, to these issues. (C) 2000 by the National Kidney Foundation, inc.