Fulminant pulmonary infections in renal transplant recipients

Opportunistic pulmonary infections often appear in patients requiring immunosuppressive therapy following renal transplantation. Fungal protozoal, viral and bacterial infections demand an immediate definitive diagnosis, since the outcome is related to the rapidity in establishing a diagnosis and the institution of appropriate therapy. Of 200 consecutive renal transplants during a seven year period, severe pulmonary infections developed in 21 patients. In 17 patients, a specific infectious agent was identified, using the flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope. Pathogenic specimens were obtained by bronchial washing, brushing or transbronchoscopic biopsy of the lung through the inner channel of the flexible bronchoscope. Bronchoscopy for localized lesions of the lung was aided by fluoroscopic guidance; for diffuse lesions, a roentgenogram of the chest was used to obtain bronchoscopic specimens from areas of maximum infiltration. Specimens were immediately dispatched and processed by the pathology laboratory. Except for one patient, all the others with fungal, protozoal and viral infections survived with functioning kidneys. Three deaths resulted from bacterial infections. Antemortem diagnoses were confirmed in all four patients who died.