Skin Lesions Developing in Renal Transplantation Recipients

Kim, Jee Ook; Kim, Gi Hun; Lee, Kyu Suk; Kim, Hyun Chul

Abstract

BACKGROUND
As the renal transplantation is rapidly becoming a standard treatment of end stage renal disease, a varieties of skin lesions in renal transplant recipients are being encountered in Korea. However, there have been little studies concerning the incidence and clinical feature of skin lesions has not been well addressed yet. OBJECTIVE: We examined the skin manifestations in renal transplant recipients. METHOD: We attempted to assess the dermatologic problems in 58 renal transplant recipients, who had been managed at Keimyung University Medical center between December, 2001, and July, 2002. RESULTS: The results are summarized as follows; Among the 58 patients, the number of male and female patients were 31(53.4%) and 27(46.6%) respectively. The mean age was 38.3 years and the mean duration of renal transplatant was 38.7 months. They had one more skin lesions. Among the 58 patients, skin infection was found in 61(105%), drug-associated skin lesions in 31(53.4%), malignant skin tumor in 0(0%) and other skin lesions in 6(10.3%). Viral infections were VZV infection(15 cases, 25.9%), HPV infection(11 cases, 19%), HSV infection(7 cases, 12.1%) and molloscum contagiosum(2 cases, 3.4%). Fungal infections were superficial mycosis(16cases, 27.6%) and deep mycosis(1 case, 1.7%). Bacterial infection was found in 5(8.6%). Drug-associated skin lesions were hypertrichosis(17 cases, 29.3%), acne(11 cases, 19%), xerosis(7 cases, 12.1%), facial flusing, purpura and gingival hyperplasia(3 cases, 5.2%), respectively, telangiectasis and urticaria(2cases, 3.4%) respectively and alopecia(1 case, 1.7%). Other skin lesions included seborrheic dermatitis(8 cases, 13.8%), nummular dermatitis(3 cases, 5.2%), prurigo nodularis, scleredema, seborrheic keratosis and toxic erythema(1 case, 1.7%). CONCLUSION: Long term use of immunosuppresive agents is associated with high incidences of skin disease. Education of patients and medical staff for early detection and treatment of skin lesions is important.