Incidence, Risk Factors, and Outcomes of Clostridium difficile Infections in Kidney Transplant Recipients

Abstract

Our results confirm that transplant-specific factors place KTR at a higher risk for CDI. Clostridium difficile infections may increase the risk of adverse outcomes, such as biopsy-proven acute rejection. These findings emphasize the importance of preventive strategies to reduce the morbidity associated with CDI in KTR.

Outcomes of Norovirus diarrheal infections and Clostridioides difficile infections in kidney transplant recipients: A single‐center retrospective study

“…The most common infectious causes of diarrhea following transplant include Norovirus, Clostridioides difficile, and Cytomegalovirus . Norovirus is a common cause of acute gastroenteritis in adults and is self‐limiting in immunocompetent hosts . However, Norovirus infection has been identified as a significant cause of post‐transplant diarrhea in KTRs .…”

“…Of the KTRs who develop severe diarrhea, an estimated 17%‐26% of cases can be attributed to Norovirus infection . Norovirus infection in KTRs can result in chronic infection, malnutrition, dehydration, and increased disease morbidity . In one study, eGFR was significantly worse than baseline in 21% of patients with Norovirus 6 months after infection .…”

“…Norovirus infections were diagnosed with conventional real‐time PCR from cases between 1994 and 2006, and by monoplex real‐time PCR from 2006 to present through the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene. NVDI and CDI were chosen because of their increasing incidence in the solid organ transplant population, and CDI's well‐established association with negative outcomes …”

“…4 Norovirus infection in KTRs can result in chronic infection, malnutrition, dehydration, and increased disease morbidity. 12 In one study, eGFR was significantly worse than baseline in 21% of patients with Norovirus 6 months after infection. 6 In another study, 81% of patients who were hospitalized for Norovirus related diarrhea experienced acute renal failure, highlighting that NVDI can be complicated by graft dysfunction.…”

“…3 Norovirus is a common cause of acute gastroenteritis in adults and is self-limiting in immunocompetent hosts. 12 However, Norovirus infection has been identified as a significant cause of post-transplant diarrhea in KTRs. 6,7 Of the KTRs who develop severe diarrhea, an estimated 17%-26% of cases can be attributed to Norovirus infection.…”