title: Infections transmitted by transplantation.
abstract: Infections are frequently transmitted through solid-organ and, to a lesser extent, stem cell transplantation. There are 2 major types of donor-derived infections that are transmitted: those that would be expected secondary to donor and recipient screening (ie, transmission of cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, or toxoplasmosis from a seropositive donor to a seronegative recipient) and those that are unexpected despite routine donor screening (ie, human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C virus transmitted from a seronegative donor). Expected transmissions occur frequently and screening and prophylaxis strategies are applied to at-risk individuals in nearly all transplant centers globally. Several high profile donor-derived infectious disease transmissions have been recognized; these reports have raised awareness of this rare complication of transplantation. Issues related to the epidemiology of, screening for, and management of proven or probable donor-derived infections are reviewed in this article.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Michele I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.forename: Staci A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.forename: Michael G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Ison
mesh_terms: D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious; D046148:Donor Selection / Q000379:methods*; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016377:Organ Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission