02664nas a2200229   4500008004100000022004200041245005000083210005000133250001000183260000800193300001400201490000600215520198000221653001202201653001102213653004502224653003702269653003102306653003202337100001702369856004802386       2006                        eng d  a1745-8323 (Print) 1745-8323 (Linking)00aParasitic infections in transplant recipients0 aParasitic infections in transplant recipients  a38960  cSep  a490 - 5030 v23 aParasitic infections are important complications of organ transplantation that are often overlooked in the differential diagnosis of post-transplantation pyrexial illness. Although their frequency is unknown, they seem to be much less prevalent than bacterial and viral infections. Only 5% of human pathogenic parasites have been reported to cause significant illness in transplant recipients. Infection can occur via transmission with the graft or blood transfusion, or be acquired de novo from the environment. Recrudescence of dormant infection can lead to active disease. Post-transplantation parasitic disorders tend to cluster into two clinical profiles. First, an acute systemic illness with anemia, constitutional manifestations and variable stigmata of organ involvement; acute graft dysfunction can lead to confusion and acute rejection. Protozoa including malarial Plasmodium, Leishmania, Trypanosoma and Toxoplasma are associated with this profile. The second typical manifestation encompasses a few localized syndromes, usually associated with the lower gastrointestinal tract, caused by either protozoa (Cryptosporidium and microsporidia) or nematodes (Strongyloides and Ascaris). Dissemination of localized infections can lead to life-threatening systemic manifestations. A high index of suspicion is essential, as diagnosis requires special sampling techniques and laboratory procedures. Definitive diagnosis is usually achieved by detecting the parasite in the patient's tissues or body fluids by histological examination or culture, or by polymerase chain reaction amplification of the parasite-specific antigen sequence. Antibody detection using serological techniques is also possible in a few parasitic infections. Certain lesions have characteristic radiological appearances, hence the value of imaging, particularly in the cerebral syndromes. Treatment is usually straightforward (broad spectrum or specific drugs), yet some species are drug resistant.10aAnimals10aHumans10aOrgan Transplantation / *adverse effects10aProtozoan Infections / *etiology10aSchistosomiasis / etiology10aStrongyloidiasis / etiology1 aBarsoum, R S  uhttps://www.notifylibrary.org/reference/141