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Does mycophenolate mofetil increase the incidence of infections in renal transplant recipients?

E Prokopenko1, E Scherbakova, A Vatazin

  • 1Moscow Regional Research Clinical Institute, Department of Dialysis and Kidney Transplantation, Moscow, Russian Federation. linkor@moscow.portal.ru

Drugs Under Experimental and Clinical Research
|January 24, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) did not increase infection rates in renal transplant recipients (RTRs) compared to azathioprine. This study found lower overall infection incidence in patients receiving MMF.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Immunosuppression Therapy
  • Transplant Medicine

Background:

  • Infectious complications are a significant concern for renal transplant recipients (RTRs).
  • Optimizing immunosuppressive regimens to balance efficacy and safety is crucial.
  • Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is a commonly used immunosuppressant for preventing acute transplant rejection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate and compare the incidence and etiology of infectious complications in RTRs receiving MMF versus azathioprine.
  • To determine if MMF increases infection rates compared to azathioprine in RTRs.

Main Methods:

  • A comparative study involving 94 RTRs, with 47 receiving MMF (1.0-2.0 g/day) plus cyclosporine A and prednisolone.
  • The control group (n=47) received triple immunosuppressive therapy including azathioprine.
  • Infections were evaluated over a 2-year post-transplant period.

Main Results:

  • Overall infection incidence was lower in the MMF group (72.3%) compared to the azathioprine group (93.6%).
  • Viral infection incidence was 53.2% (MMF) vs. 59.6% (azathioprine); bacterial infection incidence was 55.3% (MMF) vs. 70.2% (azathioprine).
  • Tuberculosis incidence was low in both groups (one case in MMF, two in azathioprine).

Conclusions:

  • MMF at doses of 1.0-2.0 g/day does not appear to increase the overall rate of infectious complications in RTRs when compared to azathioprine.
  • MMF may be associated with a lower incidence of infections compared to azathioprine in RTRs.

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