[Renal transplantation and Salmonella typhimurium infection. Epidemiological study of lysotypes and biotypes (author's transl)].

During an 8-year period (1970-1977), 24 strains of Salmonella spp. were isolated in 24 renal transplant recipients. In 19 cases (79%) the infection had an unusual presentation (extradigestive focus or bacteraemia), and 15 of the offending strains belonged to the serotype typhimurium. During the same period 161 strains of Salmonella spp. were isolated in 159 adult patients admitted to units other than the renal transplantation unit; 52% of the infections presented as gastroenteritis, and S. typhimurium accounted for only 25% of unusual presentations. However, the lysotypes and biotypes of S. typhimurium were as diverse in the renal transplantation unit as in other hospital units. The study failed to demonstrate interhuman transmission of Salmonella spp. within the renal transplantation unit.