Is This Organ Donor Safe? Donor-Derived Infections in Solid Organ Transplantation

Infection is an inevitable complication of solid organ transplant. Unrecognized infection may be transmitted from a donor and result in disseminated disease in the immunosuppressed host. Recent outbreaks of deceased donor-derived infections resulting in high rates of mortality and severe morbidity have emphasized the need to be cautious in using donors with possible meningoencephalitis. Screening of organ donors for potential transmissible infections is paramount to improving transplant outcomes.