Parasitic infections in solid-organ transplant recipients.
OBJECTIVE
To provide an updated perspective of the most common parasitic infections occurring in solid-organ transplant (SOT) recipients.


RESULTS
Parasitic infections are an emerging problem in SOT programs and represent a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Transplantation in endemic areas - including medical tourism, international travel and migration - justify the necessity of considering parasitic infections in the differential diagnosis of posttransplant complications. Molecular techniques, such as PCR, may improve the diagnostic accuracy and help during the follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Parasitic infections are an uncommon but potentially severe complication in SOT recipients. An increase of donors emigrated from tropical areas and more posttransplant patients traveling to endemic areas have led to a rise in parasitic infections reported among SOT recipients. Transplant physicians should get familiar with parasitic infections and promote adherence to preventive measures in SOT recipients.
Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain. pmunoz@micro.hggm.es
Patricia
P
Muñoz
Maricela
M
Valerio
Alia
A
Eworo
Emilio
E
Bouza
D000818:Animals; D000977:Antiparasitic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016377:Organ Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010272:Parasitic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000635:transmission; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors
D000977:Antiparasitic Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents