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I'd like to know if the majority of transplant patients continue to take in antibiotics for most of their lives.
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Answered by Shirish Huprikar on April 20 2009 | Permalink
Most solid organ transplant programs encourage trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole prophylaxis for approximately 3-12 months after transplantation. Although it is unknown whether prolonged prophylaxis is superior to temporary prophylaxis, extended prophylaxis beyond the specified period should be encouraged in the setting of ongoing rejection, increased immunosuppression, and/or graft dysfunction. In my opinion, lifelong trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole prophylaxis should be considered in all transplant recipients who are able to tolerate the medication without side effects or toxicities. Potential benefits include prevention of the following infections that can occur at any point in the lifetime of a transplant recipient: Pneumocystis, Nocardia, Toxoplasma, bacterial pneumonia (e.g. Streptococcus pneumoniae), skin and soft tissue infections (e.g. MRSA), and bacterial urinary tract infections, among others. Shirish Huprikar, MD Mount Sinai School of Medicine AST Education Committee Member
-Shirish Huprikar
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