A vaccine which protects against urine infections is providing a boost to the health of kidney transplant patients, according to new data from the RFH. Due to the immune suppressing medication that transplant patients take, they are vulnerable to bugs and those with recurrent urine infections can spend an average of three extra days a year in hospital. Persistent infections can lead to a loss of transplant function and may sometimes cause the new organ to fail. In addition, because the treatment for urine and kidney infections is antibiotics, frequent use increases the chance of antibiotic-resistant bugs emerging. But new data from kidney consultant Professor Alan Salama has revealed that the number of infections could be cut dramatically thanks to the use of a vaccine called Uromune which protects against the four most common bugs, that cause 95% of urine infections. As part of Professor Salama’s quality improvement project, a total of 21 people were given the vaccine, with 17 showing a significant drop in the number of infections. Before having the vaccine, this cohort of patients had spent 78 days in hospital due to urine infections. Following the vaccine, there were just four days spent in hospital. Vaccine boost for transplant patients The retired lawyer from Wiltshire who had a kidney transplant two years ago, says she is now able to go horse riding, swimming and travel – all because of the vaccine. She said: “Even though the operation went well, right from the start I started experiencing urinary tract infections (UTIs). At one stage I was getting UTIs once a week and I lost 10kg. The nurse said to me, ‘you’re not thriving are you?’.” Her frequent infections meant that she was too unwell to follow her usual exercise routine and she could no longer travel abroad. However, all that changed when she started taking the vaccine last April. “I noticed the difference within a few weeks,” she said. “I started putting on weight and I am back riding my horse, swimming and travelling – I couldn’t have done any of that before I had the vaccine.” Hilary is taking part in the British Transplant Games and will be swimming the 50m backstroke and 100 metres freestyle in Nottingham. “I would recommend this vaccine to others – I feel much better. Without doubt it’s made a huge difference to my life,” she added. I noticed the difference in weeks “ “ 9 Organ failure and transplantation Professor Salama said: “This vaccine has been available for a while, but we didn’t know how well it would work in transplant patients who are taking immune-suppressing medication. “We’re really pleased that it has shown a dramatic improvement for this small number of patients who have received it.” Professor Salama estimated that it could save the trust £32,000 per year, because of the reduction in hospital admissions. It will also mean beds becoming available for other patients who need to be in hospital. He said the next step would be a larger study, involving patients from across the country. Hilary Gerlis, 76, said taking the vaccine has “made a huge difference to her life”. Hilary Gerlis
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