OBJECTIVETo summarize the features of pulmonary infection (PI) in kidney transplant (Ktx) and liver transplant (Ltx) recipients for effective control measures.

METHODSA retrospective analysis was conducted among Ktx recipients and Ltx recipients with PI during the period from Jan 2004 to Dec 2008. The clinical data concerning the infection was compared.

RESULTSForty-five Ktx recipients and 23 Ltx recipients developed PI after the transplantation. The incidence of PI was 7.4% and 56.1% in (P<0.001), respectively, with severe PI occurring in 2.6% and 46.3% of the recipients (P<0.001). The median time from PI diagnosis to transplant was 230 days (29-1080 days) and 4 days (2-104 days) (P<0.001), the case-fatality rate for PI was 6.7% and 17.4% (P=NS), and the mortality rate was 0.5% and 9.8% (P<0.001) in Ktx and Ltx recipients, respectively; Gram-negative organisms were the most common in both Ktx and Ltx recipients, but Ltx recipients had significantly higher incidence of multidrug-resistant bacteria (12.9% vs 37.0%, P=0.005).

CONCLUSIONThe knowledge of PI after the transplantation will benefit appropriate prophylactic and empirical treatment to improve the survival of Ktx and Ltx recipients.