%0 Journal Article %J Emerg Infect Dis %D 2001 %T Cryptococcus neoformans infection in organ transplant recipients: variables influencing clinical characteristics and outcome %A Husain,S. %A Wagener,M. M. %A Singh,N. %K Adolescent %K Adult %K Aged %K Child %K Cryptococcosis / complications / *epidemiology / mortality %K Female %K Humans %K Male %K Middle Aged %K Organ Transplantation / *adverse effects %K Time Factors %X Unique clinical characteristics and other variables influencing the outcome of Cryptococcus neoformans infection in organ transplant recipients have not been well defined. From a review of published reports, we found that C. neoformans infection was documented in 2.8% of organ transplant recipients (overall death rate 42%). The type of primary immunosuppressive agent used in transplantation influenced the predominant clinical manifestation of cryptococcosis. Patients receiving tacrolimus were significantly less likely to have central nervous system involvement (78% versus 11%, p =0.001) and more likely to have skin, soft-tissue, and osteoarticular involvement (66% versus 21%, p = 0.006) than patients receiving nontacrolimus- based immunosuppression. Renal failure at admission was the only independently significant predictor of death in these patients (odds ratio 16.4, 95% CI 1.9-143, p = 0.004). Hypotheses based on these data may elucidate the pathogenesis and may ultimately guide the management of C. neoformans infection in organ transplant recipients. %B Emerg Infect Dis %7 37043 %V 7 %P 375 - 81 %8 May-Jun %G eng %N 3 %M 11384512 %2 2631789