Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 9, 2026
Sexual Transmission of American Trypanosomes from Males and Females to Naive Mates
Published on: January 27, 2019
Donor-derived Trypanosoma cruzi infection in solid organ recipients in the United States, 2001-2011
S Huprikar1, E Bosserman, G Patel
1The Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York City, NY.
Abstract:
Although Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas disease, can be transmitted via organ transplantation, liver and kidney transplantation from infected donors may be feasible. We describe the outcomes of 32 transplant recipients who received organs from 14 T. cruzi seropositive donors in the United States from 2001 to 2011. Transmission was confirmed in 9 recipients from 6 donors, including 3 of 4 (75%) heart transplant recipients, 2 of 10 (20%) liver recipients and 2 of 15 (13%) kidney recipients. Recommended monitoring posttransplant consisted of regular testing by PCR, hemoculture, and serology. Thirteen recipients had no or incomplete monitoring; transmission was confirmed in five of these recipients. Four of the five recipients had symptomatic disease and all four died although death was directly related to Chagas disease in only one. Nineteen recipients had partial or complete monitoring for T. cruzi infection with weekly testing by PCR, hemoculture and serology; transmission was confirmed in 4 of 19 recipients with no cases of symptomatic disease. Our results suggest that liver and kidney transplantation from T. cruzi seropositive donors may be feasible when the recommended monitoring schedule for T. cruzi infection is followed and prompt therapy with benznidazole can be administered.
Insights
Organ transplantation from Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas disease) positive donors may be safe for liver and kidney recipients. Close monitoring and prompt treatment significantly reduce transmission risks and prevent symptomatic disease.
Area of Science:
- Transplant Surgery
- Infectious Diseases
- Parasitology
Background:
- Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) transmission via organ transplantation poses a risk for Chagas disease.
- Limited data exist on the feasibility of liver and kidney transplantation from T. cruzi-seropositive donors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the outcomes of liver and kidney transplant recipients who received organs from T. cruzi-seropositive donors.
- To assess the effectiveness of post-transplant monitoring protocols in preventing T. cruzi transmission.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 32 transplant recipients from 14 T. cruzi-seropositive donors in the US (2001-2011).
- Documented transmission rates based on donor seropositivity and recipient monitoring.
- Compared outcomes between recipients with and without complete T. cruzi monitoring (PCR, hemoculture, serology).
Main Results:
- Transmission occurred in 9 of 32 recipients (28%), with higher rates in heart (75%) vs. liver (20%) and kidney (13%) recipients.
- Recipients with no or incomplete monitoring had a higher incidence of confirmed transmission (5/13) and symptomatic disease (4/5).
- Recipients with consistent monitoring showed lower transmission rates (4/19) and no symptomatic cases.
Conclusions:
- Liver and kidney transplantation from T. cruzi-seropositive donors can be feasible with rigorous post-transplant monitoring.
- Adherence to recommended monitoring schedules (PCR, hemoculture, serology) is crucial for early detection and management.
- Prompt benznidazole therapy can mitigate the risk of symptomatic Chagas disease following transplantation.
More Related Videos
08:48In Vitro Drug Screening Against All Life Cycle Stages of Trypanosoma cruzi Using Parasites Expressing β-galactosidase
Published on: November 5, 2021
08:17Quantitative 3D Imaging of Trypanosoma cruzi-Infected Cells, Dormant Amastigotes, and T Cells in Intact Clarified Organs
Published on: June 23, 2022
Related Concept Videos
01:28Kidney Transplant I: Introduction
01:24Tissue Transplantation
The Biology of Tissue Transplantation
The biology of tissue transplantation hinges on the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules. These molecules...