Bacteremia after renal transplantation.

Of 291 patients who received renal allotransplants in 1964-74, 94 patients developed 121 bacteremic episodes within the first 6 months after transplantation. The death rate was 38%. The bacteremic episodes occurred mainly during the first 2-3 months after transplantation. In 65% of the episodes bacteremia was secondary to urinary tract infections. The bacteria fourn were most often gram-negative rods such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella and Proteus. Predisposing factors were ureteral complications such as leakage or necrosis of the ureter, leucopenia, immunosuppression, and source of the kidney. The frequency of bacteremia was the same in patients with infectious and non-infectious primary renal disease.