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Review
. 2022 Feb;17(2):286-295.
doi: 10.2215/CJN.15971020. Epub 2021 Apr 20.

Long-Term Infectious Complications of Kidney Transplantation

Akansha Agrawal  1   2 , Michael G Ison  2   3 , Lara Danziger-Isakov  4
Affiliations
Review

Long-Term Infectious Complications of Kidney Transplantation

Akansha Agrawal et al. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2022 Feb.

Abstract

Infections remain a common complication of solid-organ transplantation. Most infections in the first month after transplant are typically health care-associated infections, whereas late infections, beyond 6-12 months, are community-acquired infections. Opportunistic infections most frequently present in the first 12 months post-transplant and can be modulated on prior exposures and use of prophylaxis. In this review, we summarize the current epidemiology of postkidney transplant infections with a focus on key viral (BK polyomavirus, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and norovirus), bacterial (urinary tract infections and Clostridioides difficile colitis), and fungal infections. Current guidelines for safe living post-transplant are also summarized. Literature supporting prophylaxis and vaccination is also provided.

Keywords: blastomycosis; coccidioidomycosis; cytomegalovirus; histoplasmosis; kidney transplantation; kidney transplantation series; norovirus; polyomavirus; urinary tract infection; vaccination.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Common infections associated with time since kidney transplantation. C. difficile, Clostideroides difficile; CMV, cytomegalovirus; EBV, Epstein-Barr virus; ESLB/CRE, extended spectrum beta-lactamase/carbapenem resistant enterobacteria; HBV, hepatitis B virus; HCV, hepatitis C virus; HSV, herpes simplex virus; JC/PML, JC virus/progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy; LCMV, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus; MDRO, multi-drug resistant organism; MRSA, methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus; M. tuberculosis, mycobacterium tuberulosis; PTLD, post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease; T. cruzi, Trypanosoma cruzi; VRE, vancomycin-resistant enterococcus; VZV, varicella zoster virus; WNV, West Nile virus.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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