Abstract
BACKGROUND: The outcome of kidney transplantation is determined by multiple factors and infections represent one of the major factors affecting graft and patient survival. Recent COVID-19 pandemic have adversely affected the transplant population. Very little data is available on post-transplant infections and patient survival from India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective observational study, data related to post-transplant infections from patients who had undergone renal transplantation between October 2014 and October 2021 were collected. RESULTS: A total of 255 infections episodes were observed in 118 patients. Bacterial infections were the most common (55%) followed by viral (35%), fungal (5%), mycobacterial (4%), and parasitic (1%). The most common bacterial and viral infections were urinary tract infections (70.5%) and COVID-19 (56%), respectively. BK virus and COVID-19 were associated with increased graft loss (p < 0.05). The majority of deaths due to infections were related to COVID-19 infection (71.42%). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed 1-, 3-, and 5-year patient survival of 98.23%, 96.36%, and 92.90% and graft survival of 98.14%, 95.97%, and 91.78, respectively. CONCLUSION: Infections with their adverse impact remain a concern in kidney transplant patients. Comparable patient and graft survival to the Western data despite the high infection burden and the COVID-19 pandemic suggests that effective management can reduce the impact of infections on survival.