Tuberculosis in renal transplant recipients

Of more than 400 patients who received renal transplants in Cambridge, five subsequently developed tuberculosis. All had pulmonary involvement. Radiological abnormalities included miliary opacities, bilateral lower zone shadowing or typical upper zone shadowing with cavitation. Lung biopsy was required for diagnosis in two cases. Three patients recovered after treatment with antituberculosis drugs and none has relapsed. One died during chemotherapy despite drug-susceptible organisms. The problems encountered during chemotherapy are discussed.