Shigellemia in a post renal transplant patient: a case report and literature review

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Transplantation Medicine
• Microbiology

Background:

• Shigellemia is a severe complication of shigellosis, primarily affecting malnourished children and immunocompromised adults.
• Renal transplant recipients are a vulnerable population susceptible to opportunistic infections.
• Shigellosis is endemic in India, posing a risk to transplant candidates.

Observation:

• A renal transplant patient in India presented with symptoms following symptomatic treatment for diarrhea.
• The patient developed high-grade fever, and blood cultures confirmed Shigella flexneri infection.
• This represents the first documented case of shigellemia in a renal transplant recipient in India.

Findings:

• The patient recovered uneventfully following appropriate antimicrobial therapy.
• Bloodstream infection with Shigella flexneri was successfully treated.
• The case highlights a potential complication in an immunocompromised host.

Implications:

• Screening for Shigella in the pre-transplant period in endemic regions like India is crucial.
• Early detection and treatment can mitigate the risk of shigellemia and associated septicemia.
• This case underscores the importance of considering Shigella in the differential diagnosis of febrile illness in transplant recipients.