title: [Donor-transmitted infections].
abstract: The defence response to infectious agents is compromised in solid organ recipients because of their immunosuppressive treatment. Transmission of infection from a donor organ can result in dysfunction or loss of the allograft, and may lead to death of the recipient if adequate preventive measures are not taken. This potential risk should be thoroughly assessed, particularly in the case of organs from infected donors, in order to optimize organ use without increasing the incidence of graft dysfunction and recipient morbidity and mortality. This article reviews the current knowledge regarding screening for infection in potential donors and discusses risk-benefit considerations related to the use of organs from infected donors.
authors.affiliation: Servicio Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, España. olen@ir.vhebron.net
authors.forename: Oscar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Len
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pahissa
mesh_terms: D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious / Q000517:prevention & control; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D007239:Infections / Q000635:transmission*; D009181:Mycoses / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D010272:Parasitic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D017096:Prion Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D014019:Tissue Donors; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement / Q000592:standards; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014195:Travel; D014611:Vaccination; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission