Urinary tract infection in renal transplant patients.

The incidence of urinary tract infections (UTI) in 299 renal graft transplantations (281 patients) was analyzed. UTI episodes were demonstrated in 185 grafts (62%), most frequently in the first month after transplantation. The infectious episodes were mostly recurrent. Persistent infection, detected in 11% of grafts, was associated with urologic complications in almost all cases. No significant correlation between the primary renal disease and the UTI rate was found, and there was no significant correlation between UTI and sex. In grafts with recurrent infectious episodes, vesicoureteral reflux was more common. No significant difference was observed in the residual bladder volume, irrespective of whether infection was present or not. The urine was infected by a number of hospital strains, particularly Klebsiella, Enterobacter and indole-positive Proteus strains. An overwhelming majority of UTI episodes (96%) were asymptomatic. Antibody-coated bacteria in urinary sediment were present in only 19% of infectious episodes. Clinically severe courses were observed in infections associated with urologic complications (especially urinary fistulae); these were difficult to treat and were often a source of sepsis and a risk factor in graft loss.