Pulmonary infection in the renal transplant recipients: Analysis of the radiologic manifestations

AbstractPurposeTo estimate the radiologic manifestations of pulmonary infection in the immunocompromised host of renal transplantation.Materials and methodsThis study was a retrospective view of the records of 29 adult renal transplant recipients developed pulmonary infection during December 2011 to July 2014 in our hospital. The chest radiographs and computer tomography (CT) examinations were interpreted by two radiologists independently.ResultsPulmonary infections after renal transplantation were more likely to occur within 6 months after transplantation, and the peak being at about 3 months. Mixed infections (18 cases, 62.1%) were the common types, followed by virus infection (7 cases, 24.1%) and bacterial infection (4 cases, 13.8%). In 10 patients taken chest radiographs with pulmonary infections after renal transplantation, patchy shadow and/or increased lung markings were showed in 7 cases (70%). CT manifestations of pulmonary infections after kidney transplantation were diverse and complex, lacking characteristic signs. Ground glass opacity (GGO) was the most common CT manifestation in cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections.ConclusionsThe peak incidence of pulmonary infection is in the 3 months after renal transplantation and mixed infection is the most common. Correlating the radiologic manifestations with the clinical setting can expedite diagnosis and appropriate therapy