Published online Jan 6, 2024. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v12.i1.224
Peer-review started: November 5, 2023
First decision: November 22, 2023
Revised: November 30, 2023
Accepted: December 20, 2023
Article in press: December 20, 2023
Published online: January 6, 2024
Kidney transplantation is the best option for patients with end-stage renal disease. However, the need for lifelong immunosuppression results in renal transplant recipients being susceptible to various infections. Rhodococcus equi (R. equi) is a rare opportunistic pathogen in humans, and there are limited reports of infection with R. equi in post-renal transplant recipients and no uniform standard of treat
Here, we present the case of a 25-year-old man who was infected with R. equi 21 mo after renal transplantation. Although the clinical features at the time of presentation were not specific, chest computed tomography (CT) showed a large volume of pus in the right thoracic cavity and right middle lung atelectasis, and fiberoptic bronchoscopy showed an endobronchial mass in the right middle and lower lobe orifices. Bacterial culture and metagenomic next-generation sequen
Infection with R. equi in renal transplant recipients is rare and complex, and the clinical presentation lacks specificity. Elaborate antibiotic therapy is required, and adequate abscess drainage and surgical excision are necessary. Given the recurrent nature of R. equi, patients need to be followed-up closely.
Core Tip: Infection with Rhodococcus equi (R. equi) is rare in renal transplant recipients. To date, no cases of pleural empyema and endobronchial mass have been reported in renal transplant recipients infected with R. equi. We report the diagnosis and management of a renal transplant recipient infected with R. equi at 21 mo postoperatively and incorporate a review of the literature to illustrate the characteristics of R. equi infection in renal transplant recipients.