Does mycophenolate mofetil increase the incidence of infections in renal transplant recipients?

The aim of this study was to investigate infectious complications in renal transplant recipients (RTRs) receiving mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) for prevention of acute transplant rejection. A group of RTRs (n = 47) receiving 1.0-2.0 g/day of MMF with cyclosporine A (CsA) and prednisolone to maintain immunosuppression was compared with a group (n = 47) taking triple immunosuppressive therapy including azathioprine. In both groups the etiology and incidence of infections were evaluated. During 2 years post-transplant, various infections developed in 72.3% of patients who received MMF and in 93.6% of those who received azathioprine. The incidence of viral infections was 53.2% in the MMF group and 59.6% in the azathioprine group and the incidence of bacterial infection was 55.3% and 70.2%, respectively There were two cases of active tuberculosis in the azathioprine group and one in the MMF group. MMF 1.0-2.0 g/day does not increase infection rates in RTRs compared with azathioprine.