Background and purpose: TB is a serious infectious disease in kidney recipients causing high morbidity and mortality. The prevalence of this disease varies in different countries depending on socio-economic levels. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of TB after kidney transplant in kidney transplant center of Shahid Beheshtei Hospital in city of Babol. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was done on 363 kidney recipients since the establishment of the kidney transplant center of Shahid Beheshtei Hospital in Babol. Data including the age, sex, duration of dialysis, PPD test, time of TB diagnosis, pulmonary and extra pulmonary presentation, immunsuppression and anti-TB regimen, cyclosporine level after and before TB diagnosis, rejection and function of kidney after transplantation were recorded through a questionnaire. Pulmonary tuberculosis diagnosis was made based on the positive culture of bronco alveolar lavage fluid. Results: From 363 renal allograft recipients, there were 10 (2.75%) documented cases of TB of whom six patients were male and four were female. The mean age was 47.2 years. The mean time for dialysis before transplantat was 30.5 months and the mean time to diagnose TB was 8.1 months after transplant. The most common complaints included coughing, fever and weight loss. The most frequent radiologic findings were diffuse infiltration. Immunsuppressive regimen was changed from azatioperin to mycofenolat in two patients. Anti-TB regimen was four drugs in six patients. Rejection was seen in five patients before the diagnosis of TB. Also, mortality (without autopsy) was observed in four patients. Conclusion: The frequency of TB after kidney transplant in kidney recipients in this centre was lower than other centers but mortality rate of the disease was higher.

Keywords: Kidney transplantation, pulmonary tuberculosis, mycobacterium

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