Cryptococcal infections in solid organ transplant recipients over a 15-year period at a state transplant center.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this research paper was to determine the incidence, risk factors, and clinical outcome of solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients diagnosed and treated for cryptococcosis at our institution.

METHODS: Retrospective analysis of all patients with SOT diagnosed and treated for cryptococcal infection occurring between January 2001 and December 2015.

RESULTS: Of 102 patients diagnosed with cryptococcal infection, 23 were SOT recipients. Renal transplant accounted for 22/23 cases, of which 13 had meningitis. The annual incidence of infection has risen significantly, and is now greater than 2/1000 prevalent renal transplant recipients. As expected, biochemical factors associated with meningitis include lower glucose on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, median 2.4 vs 4.5 mmol/L (P=.02); CSF white blood cell median 50 vs 1/μL (P<.001); CSF protein, median 950 vs 335 mg/L (P=.04). Serum cryptococcal antigen titers were higher in the meningitis cohort, median 512 vs 32 (P=.03). Clinically, headache on admission (odds ratio: 9 [1.29-63.03], P=.03) and a prolonged length of stay (median of 36 vs 13 days) in the meningitis cohort (P=.02) were significant.

CONCLUSION: Cryptococcal infection in SOT recipients remains rare; however, there has been a marked increase in cases since 2014. This study reveals a need for increased vigilance for a potential emerging infectious disease. It furthermore highlights the need for ongoing research to further aid early diagnosis, prognostication, management, and screening cost-effectiveness.