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Toxoplasmosis Prophylaxis Practices: A Survey of International Pediatric Solid Organ Transplantation Centers
Benjamin R Hanisch1, Monica I Ardura2, Inci Yildirim3
1Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA.
Insights
Pediatric solid organ transplant recipients face risks from Toxoplasma gondii. Current prevention strategies for toxoplasmosis vary widely, highlighting a need for standardized guidelines to protect these vulnerable patients.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Transplant Medicine
- Pediatric Healthcare
Background:
- Toxoplasma gondii poses a risk for opportunistic infections and disseminated disease in transplant recipients.
- Limited pediatric-specific data exists for preventing toxoplasmosis post-solid organ transplantation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess current practices in toxoplasmosis screening and prophylaxis for pediatric solid organ transplant recipients.
- To identify variability in prevention strategies across international centers.
Main Methods:
- An international survey of pediatric transplant providers was conducted.
- Practices regarding screening and prophylaxis for toxoplasmosis were evaluated.
Main Results:
- Significant variability exists in screening and prophylaxis strategies among centers and organ types.
- Heart transplant programs demonstrated higher rates of screening and prophylaxis.
- Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole was the most common prophylaxis agent; no cases of toxoplasmosis were reported during prophylaxis.
Conclusions:
- Optimal toxoplasmosis prevention strategies in pediatric solid organ transplantation require further research.
- Standardization of screening and prophylaxis protocols is needed to improve patient outcomes.
Background:
Toxoplasma gondii can cause opportunistic infections leading to life-threatening disseminated disease after organ transplantation. However, there is a paucity of pediatric-specific data to guide recommendations for the prevention of toxoplasmosis after solid organ transplantation.
Methods:
To assess current practices, international pediatric transplant providers were surveyed.
Results:
Considerable variability in both screening and prophylaxis strategies was found across centers and organ types, with heart transplant programs performing more screening and prophylaxis. Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole was the preferred prophylaxis agent for each graft; no toxoplasmosis cases were recalled while patients received prophylaxis.
Conclusion:
More research is needed to clarify and standardize the optimal toxoplasmosis prevention strategy.
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