Treatment of severe post-kidney-transplant lung infection by integrative Chinese and Western medicine

Chin J Integr Med. 2006 Mar;12(1):55-8. doi: 10.1007/BF02857432.

Abstract

Objective: To explore treatments of severe post-kidney-transplant lung infection by integrative Chinese and Western medicine (ICWM), in order to elevate the curing rate as well as to lower the death rate.

Methods: Based on conventional ways of Western medical treatments of 18 cases of severe post-kidney-transplant lung infection, such as putting the patients in single individual ward, antibiotics to prevent infection, respiratory machines, blood filtration, nutritional support, steroids, and maintaining electrolytes balance, we applied integrated Chinese medicinal treatments, like altering conventional prescription "pneumonia III", and conducted clinical observation of effectiveness, and indexes including white blood cell (WBC), neutrophilic granulocyte, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), blood creatinine (Cr), etc.

Results: Of the 18 cases studied, 7 were already cured, 8 proved the treatment effective, 3 died. All clinical indexes had statistically significant changes compared with those of before treatment (P < 0.01).

Conclusion: ICWM can increase curing rate and lower death rate.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Kidney Transplantation*
  • Lung Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Lung Diseases / immunology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Opportunistic Infections / drug therapy*
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / drug therapy*
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / immunology

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • Immunosuppressive Agents