Korean J Med.  2013 Feb;84(2):168-178.

Infection Prevention in Transplant Recipients

• Ha YE
• Peck KR

Abstract

Opportunistic infections are major causes of morbidity and mortality in hematopoietic stem-cell transplant and solid organ transplant recipients. The epidemiology and incidence of opportunistic infections in those patients have been dramatically changed with use of potent immunosuppressive agents as well as routine prophylaxis against various microorganisms such as common bacterial pathogens, fungi, cytomegalovirus, Pneumocystis jirovecii, and so on. Because transplant recipients are at the greatest risk for infection during early phase (1-3 months) after transplant, safe and effective prevention strategies should be implemented in this period. Moreover, beyond early phase, recipients are often susceptible to infections due to prolonged immunosuppressive therapy for graft rejection or chronic graft-versus-host diseases. Therefore, clinicians should assess a recipient's risk of infection on the basis of concomitant graft function, intensity of immunosuppression, and other factors that may contribute to susceptibility to infections. We discussed infection prevention strategies among recipients of hematopoietic stem-cell and solid organ transplantation against various opportunistic pathogens. Vaccinations should also be recommended for pre-transplant candidates and post-transplant recipients for the best prevention of infections.

Keyword

Cytomegalovirus; Invasive candidiasis; Invasive aspergillosis; Pneumocystis pneumonia; Hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation; Organ transplantation; Vaccine

MeSH Terms

Candidiasis, Invasive
Cytomegalovirus
Fungi
Graft Rejection
Graft vs Host Disease
Humans
Immunosuppression
Immunosuppressive Agents
Incidence
Opportunistic Infections
Organ Transplantation
Pneumocystis jirovecii
Pneumonia, Pneumocystis
Transplants
Vaccination
Immunosuppressive Agents