Complications of invasive mycoses in organ transplant recipients

Area of Science:

• Medical Mycology
• Transplantation Immunology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Opportunistic mycoses pose a significant threat to organ transplant recipients.
• Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) negatively impact allograft and patient survival and increase healthcare costs.
• IFIs can also lead to immune reconstitution syndrome, a poorly understood complication.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an evidence-based review of current knowledge on opportunistic mycoses in organ recipients.
• To discuss recent developments and expert perspectives in the field.
• To evaluate the utility of current biomarkers and propose alternative preventive strategies.

Main Methods:

• Evidence-based review of existing literature.
• Analysis of current diagnostic biomarkers (galactomannan, 1,3-β-D-glucan).
• Clinical assessment of patient risk factors for opportunistic fungal infections.

Main Results:

• Established biomarkers are not beneficial for screening or diagnosis in this population.
• Certain clinical characteristics and events identify patients at higher risk for IFIs.
• Prophylaxis is a common strategy due to the adverse outcomes of established infections.

Conclusions:

• Targeted preventive strategies for identified high-risk patient subsets are a rational approach.
• Optimizing outcomes in organ recipients requires careful consideration of opportunistic fungal infection risks.
• Further research may be needed to improve diagnostic and preventive measures.