Objective: To summarize the features of pulmonary infection (PI) in kidney transplant (Ktx) and liver transplant (Ltx) recipients for effective control measures.
Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted among Ktx recipients and Ltx recipients with PI during the period from Jan 2004 to Dec 2008. The clinical data concerning the infection was compared.
Results: Forty-five Ktx recipients and 23 Ltx recipients developed PI after the transplantation. The incidence of PI was 7.4% and 56.1% in (P<0.001), respectively, with severe PI occurring in 2.6% and 46.3% of the recipients (P<0.001). The median time from PI diagnosis to transplant was 230 days (29-1080 days) and 4 days (2-104 days) (P<0.001), the case-fatality rate for PI was 6.7% and 17.4% (P=NS), and the mortality rate was 0.5% and 9.8% (P<0.001) in Ktx and Ltx recipients, respectively; Gram-negative organisms were the most common in both Ktx and Ltx recipients, but Ltx recipients had significantly higher incidence of multidrug-resistant bacteria (12.9% vs 37.0%, P=0.005).
Conclusion: The knowledge of PI after the transplantation will benefit appropriate prophylactic and empirical treatment to improve the survival of Ktx and Ltx recipients.