Infections associated with dialysis and transplantation

Infection within the abdominal wall and peritonitis are still important causes of morbidity which ultimately limit the use of peritoneal dialysis in end-stage renal failure. Similarly disastrous complications resulting in loss of access can follow infection in venous cannulae and artificial arteriovenous fistulae, particularly in synthetic vascular grafts. Important publications continue to underline the mechanism of reduced resistance to infection by uraemic patients. After renal transplantation bacterial infection is common and predictable. However, immunosuppressed recipients are particularly susceptible to viral and fungal infection. Arguably infection of all types can induce organ rejection.