Infectious complications after renal transplantation.

Kidney transplantation is the optimal treatment for end-stage chronic renal failure, improving quality of life and life expectancy. However, the use of immunosuppressive treatments, although essential for graft survival, exposes patients to an increased risk of opportunistic infections. All types of infections can occur in the kidney transplant patient; however, some infections are more specific. They are particularly frequent in the immediate post-transplant period and follow a characteristic schedule. The greatest risk of life-threatening infection is in the period one to six months after transplantation, when the effects of anti-rejection treatment are at their peak. The first month after transplantation is dominated by bacterial wounds, lung and urinary infections. Their impact on morbidity and mortality is significant, about 80% of kidney transplants develop at least one infectious episode in the first year after transplantation. Prevention and treatment of infections in transplant patients is of major importance. The aim of this study was to determine the different types of infectious complications prevalent in kidney transplant recipients at kidney transplantation centers in our country.