Why are patients with organ transplants susceptible to infections?

Changing timeline of infection after organ transplantation (modified from Fishman J. NEJM. 2007;357(25):2601-14). Within the first 30 days after transplantation, the patient is at greatest risk for healthcare-associated infections, often due to antibiotic-resistant organisms and often polymicrobial in etiology.

Which viral infection is most likely to happen post transplantation?

CMV is the most common viral infection in solid organ transplant recipients. It usually develops during the first few months after transplantation, and is associated with clinical infectious disease (e.g. fever, pneumonia, gastrointestinal ulcers, hepatitis, retinitis) and acute or chronic graft dysfunction.

What are side effects of kidney transplant?

Kidney transplant surgery carries a risk of significant complications, including:

• Blood clots and bleeding.
• Leaking from or blockage of the tube (ureter) that links the kidney to the bladder.
• Infection.
• Failure or rejection of the donated kidney.
• An infection or cancer that can be transmitted with the donated kidney.

Why are transplant patients immunocompromised?

In order for their bodies to accept a transplanted organ, patients must take medications that weaken their immune system as a side effect. This increases their chances of getting infections and decreases their bodies’ ability to properly respond once infected.

What infections are transplants susceptible to?

All organ transplant recipients are at risk for wound infections. The most common bacterial pathogen is S. aureus, but infections with enterococci, gram-negative bacteria, Candida, and M. hominis may also be seen.

How can you prevent infection after a heart transplant?

The most important risks after your heart transplant are rejection and infections. To reduce the risk of rejection and infection, take your medications exactly as prescribed, live an active and healthy lifestyle, and attend your medical appointments regularly.

What are the most common causes of infection in transplant recipients immediately postoperatively?

Infections of the Skin and Surgical Site All organ transplant recipients are at risk for wound infections. The most common bacterial pathogen is S. aureus, but infections with enterococci, gram-negative bacteria, Candida, and M. hominis may also be seen.

What causes infection after kidney transplant?

The majority of symptomatic infections in kidney transplant recipients are primary infection, likely related to reactivation of donor virus. The most concerning presentation of EBV is post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) (16,17).

How long is immunosuppression after transplant?

About 6 months to a year after transplant, the immunosuppression is generally lowered and the risk of side effects should be low. If you still continue to experience side effects, you need to speak to your transplant professional to either adjust the dose or switch to a different medication.

What are the precautions after kidney transplant?

Steps to Keep Your Transplanted Kidney

• Schedule regular healthcare visits.
• Take all your medications every day and at the same time as instructed.
• Discuss any medication concerns or side effects with your transplant team.
• Eat healthy.
• Get regular exercise.
• Keep a healthy weight.

Are transplants always immunocompromised?

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have identified organ transplant patients as among the at-risk immunocompromised population4. With a weakened immune system, the body is less able to fight off and recover from infections.

What is post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder?

PTLD is group of conditions that may happen after a transplant. It involves the immune system and causes white blood cells called lymphocytes to multiply out of control. The seriousness varies from an overgrowth of the lymphocytes that is not harmful, to full-blown lymph node cancer (called lymphoma).

Does post-transplant diabetes mellitus increase after solid organ transplantation?

Abstract Post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) is a frequent consequence of solid organ transplantation. PTDM has been associated with greater mortality and increased infections in different transplant groups using different diagnostic criteria.

What are the risks of organ transplantation?

While organ transplantation gives patients who would otherwise have a very short life expectancy the chance to live for many years, it comes with substantial risks. For example, patients must take medication for the rest of their lives to suppress their immune systems so they will not attack and reject the donor organ.

What happens if a patient gets an infection after a transplant?

When infections do occur in transplant patients, whether viral infections, bacterial or fungal infections of the skin, or pneumonia, they can accelerate even more rapidly than in a nondiabetic transplant patient. Any patient report of a possible infection should trigger a rapid request for assessment and treatment.

Are kidney transplant recipients at greater risk for postpartum hemorrhage (ptdm)?

This proinflammatory response may contribute to the observation that kidney transplant recipients who receive a deceased donor graft rather than a living donor graft are also at greater risk for PTDM ( 108, – 111 ).