PREVALENCE OF SUPERFICIAL FUNGAL INFECTION IN RENAL TRANSPLANTED PATIENTS

Abstract

Background: Kidney transplantation is the treatment of choice for end-stage renal disease. However, patients require close follow-up after transplantation since they are on complex immunosuppressive regimens that render susceptible to infection, malignancy, and cardiovascular disease. Immunosuppressive dose also tends to be high in the first 1- 6 months post transplantation and patients continue to be at risk of developing opportunistic fungal infection.

Aim: To determine prevalence and variant of superficial fungal infection in renal transplant recipient, to determine duration of immunosuppressive drugs used before appearance of superficial fungal infection and prevalence and to find out the relationship between types of immunosuppressive drugs used and prevalence of superficial fungal infection.

Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive hospital-based study was carried out on 80 patients with renal transplant recipients attended, admitted at hospital as well as referral clinics.

Results: Sixteen Patients (20%) had superficial fungal infections at the time of the study and 64 Patients (80.0%) had no superficial fungal infection. Regarding dermatological examination Skin involved in 13 Patients (16.2%), mucous membrane involved in1 Patients (1.2%), nail Involved in1 Patient (1.2%), Finger toe involved in1 Patients (1.2%).

Conclusions: Pityriasis versicolor was the commonest superficial fungal infection in renal transplant recipients. Superficial fungal infection was more common in first 6months of treatment of immunosuppressive drugs and was more common in patient used combination of Azathioprine + predinsolone +prograf.