Early Diagnosis in Post Renal Transplant Opportunistic Infections: A Fresh Look

Abstract

A total or 86 renal transplant patients who were transplanted with live related donor (LRD) and live nnrelated donor (LURD) kidneys were studied for opportnnistic infections. Innnune diagnosis of Toxoplasma, Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Herpes-simplex virus type II (HSV-2),Aspergillosis and Tubercnlosis was carried out in these patients along with sputum examination, CSF studies and biopsy of lymphnode and other tissues in few cases. A high degree of Toxoplasma, CMV & HSV-2 positivity was seen in transplanted patients. However sensitivity of serological diagnosis of tuberculos was found to be low with standard criteria, which increased significantly when modified criteria were used. It is concluded that regular innnunological monitoring should be carried out in transplanted patients so as to reach an early diagnosis and management of opportnnistic infections. MJAF! 1999; 55 : 107-110