AbstractIntroduction.Recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTIs) after kidney transplantation (KT) are associated with significant decrease in graft survival. There is a growing body of evidence for the pleiotropic effects of vitamin D (VD), including immunomodulatory and antibacterial effect. The number of studies on VD’s pleiotropic effects in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) however is low. The aim of our study was to assess the influence of VD on the incidence of recurrent UTIs after KT.Methods. The KTRs were tested for 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25VD) between 1.05.2012 and 30.11.2012. Patients within 12 months of transplantation, performed parathyroidectomy, concomitant intake of calcineurin inhibittors and mTOR inhibitors, advanced liver disease and VD supplementation were excluded from the study. Recurrent UTIs were defined as more than 3 episodes of active UTI within the last 12 months of testing for 25VD. Statistical analysis was carried out with SPSS version 22.0 and included descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U test. Determination of total 25VD was performed by a validated LC-MS/MS method.Results.A total of 275 patients met the above-mentioned criteria (males 182, females 93). The mean 25VD in patients with rUTIs (n=14) was 51.41±25.17 nmol/L, whereas in the group without rUTIs (n=261) the level was 60.35±23.29 nmol/L. After matching the two groups for seasonal factors (sampling for 25VD in July, August, September) and gender 169 patients were selected, and 11 were with rUTIs. No significant difference was detected in the 25VD level in the two groups (53.30±18.37 vs 49.08±21.04 nmol/L), p=0.342.Conclusions.Despite the higher 25VD in the KTRs without rUTIs, the difference between the two groups remained insignificant.
Vitamin D Deficiency Is an Independent Risk Factor for Urinary Tract Infections After Renal Transplants
