Transplant - acute kidney injury (AKI) ?

[kristina]

I thought I would just run this past transplant recipients.
Today in the news there was an article which basically drew attention to the importance of recognizing and acting very quickly
to urine infections after operations, where a urinary catheter is used, because if the infection is left,
the urine infection could reach the kidney and knock it out severely, such that some patients have ended up on dialysis as a result.
This infection (acute kidney injury AKI) is treated with antibiotics.
But it occurs to me, that transplant recipients are probably given antibiotics immediately after the operation anyway
and I wonder, whether this type of antibiotic would also treat any type of urine infection caused by the urinary catheter?
I am a little confused about this particular issue and if any transplant recipient can shed a little more light to this I would be grateful.

Thanks from Kristina.



EDITED:  Moved to correct topic.  Rerun - Admin.

[Deanne]

I had a urine test every week for months 0 to 3 post transplant. Months 3 - 6 I have a urine test once a month. I'll reach month 6 in a couple of weeks. I don't remember what the schedule changes to after that.

[kristina]

Thank you Deanne.

It would seem as though they’ve got this point sorted out,
as indicated by your experience of regular checks after the operation.
But nevertheless, it is an important aspect to keep an eye on.

Thanks again from Kristina.

[natnnnat]

I think that new transplant patients aren't necessarily put on antibiotics, as you wouldn't want to overuse them.  This is because using antibiotics kills off most but not all of any type of bacteria; the ones who survive then reproduce, a process which gradually can breed the 'superbugs' you hear of in the news.

Urinary tract infections are an issue for new transplants, and Gregory got one when he needed an emergency catheter for a different problem.  He was given several antibiotics before they finally grew enough culture of his infection to pinpoint the antibiotic they needed to deal with it.  And then he came good.
Basically, it seems that new transplants are a complex, vulnerable system for awhile, and it urinary tract infections are only one of a range of issues to keep track of.

Having said all that, I also could report that Gregory is on an ongoing prescription of Bactrim (Respirin) three times a week, which is a fairly heavy duty antibiotic I believe.  But this is new,  its because he got pneumoccocal pneumonia; all the transplant patients who got it are now on ongoing Bactrim.