A Retrospective View of Post Renal Transplant Urinary Tract Infections: An Experience of A UK Transplant Centre

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are prevalent post renal transplant complication. These infections are most common in renal transplant recipient’s contrary to their incidence in general healthy population as shown by previous studies. Though the frequencies of occurrences are different in renal transplant patients. There is general lack of consensus on the risk factors associated with development of UTIs in renal transplant patients as well as effects posed by them and occurrence of mortality in patient group. This retrospective cohort study investigated and included adults’ patients who were operated for renal transplant in a single transplant center in UK from Jan 2014 to December 2023. The number of patients were 604 with two hundred and fifty-nine developed one or more UTIs in 42 months follow-up period. Significant risk factors for post-transplant UTIs were advanced age, female gender, reflux kidney disease, use of azathioprine and cadaveric donor. UTIs did not increase risk for renal graft loss, but were associated with increased mortality (3.5 odds ratio, 95% confidence interval 1.68–7.23). We conclude UTIs may be associated with an increased mortality risk in renal transplant recipients. Prevention of UTIs in high-risk renal transplant patients or those with recurrent UTIs may possibly decrease post-transplant mortality.