Emerging viral infections in transplantation

Viral infections are an important complication of transplantation. The introduction of more potent immunosuppressive agents over the past decade correlates with an increase in the rate of hospitalizations of transplant patients with infections. Specifically, viral infections have emerged as a major source of morbidity and mortality in transplantation. There are several potential intervention strategies in the face of emerging infections and it is likely that the approach will differ depending on the virus in question. These include viral surveillance and pre-emptive therapy, intervention of the transplant community, and policy change at the level of government, blood bank and organ procurement organizations. This review focuses on the emergence of the herpesviruses; HHV-6 and HHV-7. In addition, the issue of virus transmission through organ transplant is addressed with a discussion of West Nile virus and the rabies virus.