The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Kidney transplant patients prone to several infections

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Monday, Sep 29, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Kidney transplant patients prone to several infections

Tropical conditions of city lead to infections: NIMS study

HYDERABAD: With more and more patients preferring kidney transplants leading to a huge demand for donors and middlemen, it becomes vital for all to know about the threat of infections, which are endemic in Hyderabad and elsewhere in the State.

A study conducted by nephrologists of Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) and results published in Indian Journal of Nephrology-2005, pointed out that of 169 kidney recipients, only 23 patients did not have infections while the rest of 146 recipients bore the brunt of 410 episodes of various types of infections. A sample of 169 patients was taken by NIMS doctors for the study.

“Despite increased potency of drugs, tropical conditions of Hyderabad and elsewhere lead to infections of all kinds among recipients. Patients should be cautious and physicians should give a clear picture to the patient,” says Dr. R. Ram, Assistant Professor of Department of Nephrology, NIMS, who took up the study along with other NIMS researchers.

Urinary tract infections continue to be the commonest of the infections among recipients. Nearly 24 per cent of the patients suffered from urinary tract infections. Interestingly, the study stated that E.Coli bacteria was the most common infective agent and was found among 12.6 per cent of the kidney recipients. Pneumonia was prevalent among 16.2 per cent of the recipients.

Viral, tuberculosis and fungal infections were observed at a prevalence of 21.8 per cent, 10.6 per cent and 23 per cent respectively among the 169 kidney transplantation patients. The study reported that fungal infections carried a high mortality rate of 54 per cent among patients. Aspergillum, a type of fungi, was the major causative agent for such infections.

Tuberculosis and fungal infections appear throughout the three months after the transplantation is done and has varied presentations, rendering diagnosis difficult, the study noted. “Unless patients take utmost care, infections will come. It’s up to the patient, doctor and relatives to fight this ordeal,” Dr. Ram said.

The study stated that “Many of these infections are endemic to this region. A multitude of factors like unhygienic conditions, tropical climate and lack of proper knowledge among patients, diagnostic techniques and life saving drugs available at a premium have contributed to this dismal outcome.”

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