Tuberculosis in renal transplant recipients: a Brazilian center registry.

UNLABELLED: Renal transplant recipients receiving immunosuppression show an increased risk for developing opportunistic infections, such as tuberculosis (TB). TB represents the major cause of morbidity and mortality in the world, mainly in underdeveloped countries. The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence of TB and its presentation among renal transplant recipients over 20 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective analysis included medical records of renal transplant recipients from January 1984 to April 2007. RESULTS: Among 1342 renal transplant recipients, 31 received treatment for TB due to clinical disease (n = 23) or prophylaxis (n = 8). The overall incidence of TB was 1.71%, which was diagnosed at 53 +/- 49 months posttransplantation. The indications for TB prophylaxis were a previous history of TB (n = 6) or direct contact with a TB carrier (n = 1). The most common clinical presentation was extrapulmonary (n = 13). The classical treatment was effective in 16 cases. However, 7 cases of resistant TB required ethambutol added to therapy. Adverse events of treatment included liver toxicity (n = 1) and peripheral neuropathy (n = 1). Three patients died due to TB-related complications. Graft loss was observed in 3 patients after cessation of TB treatment. None of the patients on prophylaxis developed clinical disease. CONCLUSIONS: TB incidence was significantly greater among renal transplant recipients compared with the local population, with a higher incidence of extrapulmonary disease. TB prophylaxis in selected cases was effective, avoiding new infections.

Bacterial Meningitis in the Elderly: An 8-Year Review of Cases in a University Hospital.

The clinical and laboratory characteristics of bacterial meningitis in subjects over 59 years-old were evaluated to establish variables related to prognosis. All patients with clinical and laboratory findings of acute meningitis were included. Sixty-four episodes in 64 patients were registered. S. pneumoniae was responsible for 19 cases (27.5%); L. monocytogenes - 3; S. aureus - 1; S. bovis - 1; S. agalactie - 1 and Corynebacterium jeikeium 1. Gram negative bacilli caused seven cases; two cases were due to N. meningitidis and one to H. influenzae. In 50% of the cases no microorganisms were isolated. The main symptom was fever (67.8%). Headache and neck rigidity were absent in about one-half of the cases and the predominant symptoms were psychomotor agitation, stupor or coma. The presence of concomitant diseases, such as diabetes mellitus (26.6%) and pneumonia (17.2%), were common. The mortality was high (51.5%). This poor prognosis was related to L.monocytogenes (100%), Gram negatives rods (83%) andS.pneumoniae (58%). The univariate analysis showed that absence of headache (p=0.002), presence of coma (p=0.04), pneumonia (p=0.01) and immunocompromised status (p=0.01) were associated with risk of death. The type of the microorganisms isolated in the elderly patients with meningitis were often unusual ones. The clinical symptoms were minimal and in many cases, the only clinical presentation was change in mental status. Poor prognosis was observed in spite of intensive care. A high index of suspicion for meningitis while caring for elderly with changes in mental status must be maintained to avoid delays in initiating appropriate therapy.