Hypoalbuminemia is a risk factor for invasive fungal infections and poor outcomes in infected kidney transplant recipients.

Introduction: Invasive fungal infections (IFI), are estimated to occur in 2%-14% of kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) in the current era of immune suppression and are associated with high mortality rates. We hypothesized that hypoalbuminemia in KTRs is a risk factor for IFI and would be associated with poor outcomes.

Methods: In this study, using data from a prospective cohort registry, we describe the frequency of IFI due to Blastomycosis, Coccidioidomycosis, Histoplasmosis, Aspergillosis, and Cryptococcus in KTRs with serum albumin levels measured 3-6 months before diagnosis.

Cytomegalovirus nephritis in kidney transplant recipients: Epidemiology and outcomes of an uncommon diagnosis.

Background: Data on epidemiology and outcomes of cytomegalovirus (CMV) nephritis in kidney transplant patients are limited due to the rarity of this condition.

Methods: A retrospective review of all kidney transplant recipients (KTR) (n = 6490) and biopsy-proven CMV nephritis between 1/1997 and 12/2020 was performed.

Results: The prevalence of CMV nephritis was low: 13/6490 (0.

Clostridioides difficile Infection in the Stem Cell Transplant and Hematologic Malignancy Population.

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is common in the stem cell transplant (SCT) and hematologic malignancy (HM) population and mostly occurs in the early posttransplant period. Treatment of CDI in SCT/HM is the same as for the general population, with the exception that fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) has not been widely adopted because of safety concerns. Several case reports, small series, and retrospective studies have shown that FMT is effective and safe.

Bacterial Infections in the Stem Cell Transplant Recipient and Hematologic Malignancy Patient.

Bacteremia (bloodstream infection) is frequent (20%-30% incidence) in the stem cell transplant and hematologic malignancy population and often occurs in the early post-transplant engraftment period. In most studies, Gram-positive bacteria occur at greater frequency than gram-negative bacteria, although some centers report that rates of gram-negative bloodstream infections have recently increased. In many centers, resistance rates among Enterococci and gram-negative bacteria, especially the Enterobacteriaceae, are extensive and associated with increased mortality.

Immunosuppression Does Not Affect Antibody Concentrations to Measles, Mumps, and Rubella in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Background: The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends using the immunization record and not serologic testing to determine immunity against measles and rubella in the general population, due to potential false negatives. However, it is unknown whether the immune response is less durable among patients who are immunosuppressed.

Aims: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate sustained vaccine-induced measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) antibody concentrations in immunosuppressed patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Fecal microbiota transplantation for the treatment of recurrent and severe Clostridium difficile infection in solid organ transplant recipients: A multicenter experience.

Fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) is recommended for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) treatment; however, use in solid organ transplantation (SOT) patients has theoretical safety concerns. This multicenter, retrospective study evaluated FMT safety, effectiveness, and risk factors for failure in SOT patients. Primary cure and overall cure were defined as resolution of diarrhea or negative C difficile stool test after a single FMT or after subsequent FMT(s) ± anti-CDI antibiotics, respectively.

Skin and Soft Tissue Infections Due to Nontuberculous Mycobacteria.

Purpose Of Review: This review describes recent trends in the epidemiology of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), emerging pathogens, new insights into NTM pathogenesis, and advances in diagnosis and treatment.

Recent Findings: Emerging pathogens include Mycobacterium chimaera and drug-resistant subspecies of Mycobacterium abscessus. Important virulence mechanisms of pathogenic NTM include the ability to alter the macrophage's permissiveness to intracellular bacterial growth.

Legionella: virulence factors and host response.

Purpose Of Review: Legionella pneumophila is a facultative intracellular pathogen and an important cause of community-acquired and nosocomial pneumonia. This review focuses on the latest literature examining Legionella's virulence strategies and the mammalian host response.

Recent Findings: Recent studies identify novel virulence strategies used by L.