Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 1, 2026
08:38
Quantification of the Immunosuppressant Tacrolimus on Dried Blood Spots Using LC-MS/MS
Published on: November 8, 2015
Antifungal prophylaxis in solid organ transplant recipients
Kyle D Brizendine1, Sonia Vishin, John W Baddley
1Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, THT 229, 1900 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35294-0006, USA.
Expert Review of Anti-Infective Therapy
|May 26, 2011
Summary
Antifungal prophylaxis can reduce invasive fungal infections (IFIs) after solid organ transplantation. This review focuses on systemic antifungal agents for high-risk transplant recipients to improve patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Transplantation Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Solid organ transplantation is a life-saving procedure for end-stage organ failure.
- Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) are a major cause of death and illness post-transplant.
- Current strategies focus on prophylaxis to prevent IFIs in transplant recipients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the use of systemic antifungal prophylaxis in solid organ transplant recipients.
- To identify patient populations at highest risk for IFIs.
- To inform optimal targeting of antifungal prophylaxis.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on antifungal prophylaxis in solid organ transplantation.
- Analysis of epidemiological data on post-transplant IFIs.
- Evaluation of antifungal adverse effects.
Main Results:
- Antifungal prophylaxis is supported in liver, lung, small bowel, and pancreas transplant recipients.
- Understanding IFI epidemiology and drug toxicity aids in targeted prophylaxis.
- Systemic antifungal agents are a key focus for prevention.
Conclusions:
- Systemic antifungal prophylaxis is a critical strategy for managing IFIs in solid organ transplant recipients.
- Risk stratification and understanding adverse effects are essential for optimizing prophylaxis.
- Further research can refine the use of antifungal agents to improve survival rates.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Antifungal Agents
Amphotericin B is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent that exploits structural differences between fungal and mammalian cell membranes. Its amphipathic structure—featuring a hydrophobic polyene-lactone ring and a hydrophilic region containing mycosamine and carboxylic acid groups—enables selective binding to ergosterol, a sterol predominantly found in fungal plasma membranes. This selective interaction underlies the drug’s antifungal activity, although weak binding to cholesterol contributes to...
01:27Cryptococcal Meningitis
Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
01:16Kidney Transplant III: Nursing Management
Postoperative Nursing Management for Kidney Transplant PatientsPostoperative nursing management care includes monitoring the surgical site, encouraging early movement, and promoting lung health through breathing exercises. Nurses also administer prescribed medications like H2-blockers, such as famotidine, or proton pump inhibitors, like omeprazole, to help prevent gastrointestinal ulcers and bleeding. Fungal infections in the mouth and bladder can result from immunosuppressive and antibiotic...
01:20Candidiasis
Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by opportunistic species of Candida. It can affect various anatomical sites, including the skin, oral cavity, nails, and genitourinary tract. Among its forms, vaginal candidiasis is the most common type of mucosal infection. It typically results from the overgrowth of Candida albicans in the vaginal mucosa. Under normal conditions, C. albicans exists as a commensal organism within the vaginal microbiota, regulated by the dominance of lactobacilli, which...
01:26Kidney Transplant II: Surgical Procedure
Preoperative ManagementThe primary goals of preoperative management in kidney transplantation are to optimize the patient’s metabolic state and prepare them for surgery through diet adjustments, necessary dialysis, and tailored medical treatment. This phase also involves comprehensive infection screening and patient education about the surgical procedure and postoperative care to improve outcomes and adherence.Medical ManagementA comprehensive evaluation is required for both the living donor...
01:21Antiprotozoal Agents
Leishmaniasis is a widespread parasitic disease caused by several Leishmania species. It affects millions of people each year and remains a major public health problem in endemic regions. First-line treatment relies on pentavalent antimonials, including meglumine antimoniate and sodium stibogluconate. Even so, how these drugs work has not been fully clear, especially their interaction with parasite-specific biochemical pathways. One key target is trypanothione reductase (TR), an enzyme that...