Hong Kong Journal of Nephrology
Volume 7, Issue 2 , Pages 93-96, October 2005

Pneumocystis carinii Pneumonia Among Renal Transplant Recipients Despite Antibiotic Prophylaxis

  • Yuen-Fun Mak

      Affiliations

    • Renal Unit, Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, Department of Pathology, Princess Margaret Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China

Article Outline

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) is a well-known opportunistic infection in renal transplant recipients; it is associated with high mortality, mostly within the first 6 months post-transplantation. The disease has been effectively prevented by routine antibiotic prophylaxis. Recently, however, we encountered three consecutive cases of PCP; one developed the disease at 8 months and another at 11 months post-transplantation. An overall assessment of a patient's degree of immunosuppression is essential when considering the duration of PCP prophylaxis. Instead of the routine regimen of 6 months, 1-year PCP prophylaxis may be required for those who are on both tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil.

Key words:  co-trimoxazole , Pneumocystis carinii , prophylaxis , renal transplantation

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PII: S1561-5413(09)60221-0

doi:10.1016/S1561-5413(09)60221-0

Hong Kong Journal of Nephrology
Volume 7, Issue 2 , Pages 93-96, October 2005

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