Tuberculosis in renal transplant recipients: Challenges in developing countries

Tuberculosis after kidney transplantation is associated with significantly impaired allograft function

“…In our cohort of KTRs, the demographics and clinical characteristics of TB disease were quite similar to those described by other transplant centers located in endemic regions, with late occurrence, high incidence of extrapulmonary and disseminated forms, difficulty in attaining a definitive diagnosis, and prolonged treatments . Studies performed in low‐incidence countries have demonstrated earlier clinical presentation .…”

“…Early TB disease after transplantation in patients with or without isoniazid treatment, may even be due to unrecognized active disease at the time of transplantation or donor‐derived infection. Compared with Brazilian studies, TB incidence was somewhat lower . It is possible that the routine use of LTBI therapy for at‐risk patients might be the reason for this finding.…”

“…The incidence of TB in transplant recipients is 20‐50 times higher than in the general population, ranging from 0.5% to 1% in North America to 15% in India and Pakistan . Studies in Brazilian transplant centers have reported incidences of 1.17% to 5% …”