Cryptococcus neoformans Infection in Organ Transplant Recipients: Variables Influencing Clinical Characteristics and Outcome

2001

Cryptococcus neoformans Infection in Organ Transplant Recipients

Sample size: 178 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Shahid Husain, Marilyn M. Wagener, Nina Singh

Primary Institution: Veterans Affairs Medical Center and University of Pittsburgh, Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

Hypothesis

The unique clinical characteristics and variables influencing the outcome of Cryptococcus neoformans infection in organ transplant recipients have not been well defined.

Conclusion

C. neoformans infection was documented in 2.8% of organ transplant recipients, with an overall death rate of 42%.

Supporting Evidence

C. neoformans infection was documented in 2.8% of organ transplant recipients.
The overall death rate among organ transplant recipients with cryptococcal infection was 42%.
Patients receiving tacrolimus were significantly less likely to have central nervous system involvement.
Renal failure at admission was the only independently significant predictor of death in these patients.

Takeaway

This study looked at how a type of fungus affects people who have had organ transplants, finding that it can be very serious and often leads to death.