Incidence and causes of infection in kidney transplantation patients with amyloidosis

End-stage kidney disease due to renal amyloidosis may develop in cases where FMF disease cannot be controlled. Kidney transplantation is the most appropriate treatment for end-stage renal disease. Amyloid has important functions in immune response. Studies have shown that the development of amyloidosis has negative effects on the immune system. This study was conducted in Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Adult Nephrology Clinic. In our study we compared 50 patients' (group of amyloidosis), who underwent kidney transplantation due to Familial Mediterranean Fever in 1993-2008 and followed up in Hacettepe University Medical Faculty Nephrology Clinic, frequency of infection, agents of infection and the frequency of hospitalization during their postoperative period with the 100 patients (control group) who were also underwent kidney transplantation due to other reasons at the same period. In our study, the frequency of hospitalization due to infection was significant in amyloidosis group compared to the control group. In the amyloidosis group, the frequency of lower respiratory tract infections, BK virus infection, CMV infections, peritonitis, and septic arthritis were significantly higher than the control group. When we analyze infection agents; Enterobacter aerogenes in urine culture, sputum culture, Streptococcus Pnumonia and Candida Albicans and blood culture Staphylococcus Epidermdis in the amyloidosis group had a significant advantage over the control group. We suggest to be more careful in preventing the development of inflammation in patients with amyloidosis who underwent kidney transplantation and to support the prospective studies of searching the frequency of infection and agents of infection. Keywords: Familial Mediterranean Fever, Amyloidosis, Kidney Transplantation, Infection, Immune System