Endogeneous sources of infection in transplant recipients

Area of Science:

• Microbiology and Immunology
• Transplantation Science
• Vascular Biology

Background:

• Mammalian organisms host complex microbial communities on surfaces and within tissues.
• A dynamic balance exists between host and microbial inhabitants, typically maintaining commensalism.
• Surgical trauma, allografts, and immunosuppression can disrupt this host-microbe homeostasis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review existing literature on microorganism-host interactions in the context of transplantation.
• To discuss the activation of microbial flora following surgical trauma and immunosuppression.
• To present findings on arterial tissue colonization and its relation to atherosclerosis and grafting.

Main Methods:

• Cumulation and synthesis of pertinent literature data on microorganism-host interactions.
• Analysis of own findings concerning colonization of arteries and adjacent tissues.
• Discussion of microbial activation in the context of surgical trauma and immunosuppression.

Main Results:

• Imbalance between host and inhabiting microorganisms is favored by surgical trauma and immunosuppression.
• Transplanted organ flora and host flora can become activated, requiring antibiotic treatment.
• Knowledge regarding bacterial flora in 'sterile' deep tissues remains limited, challenging traditional views.

Conclusions:

• Microorganism-host interactions are critical, particularly in post-transplant scenarios.
• The activation of microbial communities poses risks to both allograft recipients and the graft.
• Further research into the microbial landscape of deep tissues is essential for understanding health and disease.