Urinary tract infections in kidney transplant recipients

D. E. Ramsey, W. T. Finch and A. G. Birtch

In 65 kidney transplant recipients who were followed up for a mean period of 14.7 months, the incidence of urinary tract infection (UTI), and how the incidence was affected by length of graft survival, age, HLA-A and HLA-B matches, complications, duration of Foley catheter use, and other aspects, were examined. The total incidence of infection included an unexpectedly high rate of late infections. The incidence was found to be statistically increased with nephrectomy, splenectomy, recatheterization, and age older than 40 years. There was no correlation noted with graft source, antigen match, graft loss, or previous history of UTI. A group of patients with persistent UTI was noted and an inability to suppress UTI with long-term therapy with antibiotics was found. The asymptomatic nature of most of the UTIs confirmed the need for frequent periodic cultures of urine in the immunosuppressed patient.