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Silva JT, Fernández-Ruiz M, Grossi PA, Hernández-Jimenez P, López-Medrano F, Mularoni A, Prista-Leão B, Santos L, Aguado JM. Reactivation of latent infections in solid organ transplant recipients from sub-Saharan Africa: What should be remembered? Transplant Rev (Orlando) 2021; 35:100632. [PMID: 34130253 DOI: 10.1016/j.trre.2021.100632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
International migration from Sub-Saharan African countries to the European Union and the United States has significantly increased over the past decades. Although the vast majority of these immigrants are young and healthy people, a minority can be affected by chronic conditions eventually leading to solid organ transplantation (SOT). Importantly, these candidates can bear geographically restricted fungal and parasitic latent infections that can reactivate after the procedure. An appropriate evaluation before transplantation followed by treatment, whenever necessary, is essential to minimize such risk, as covered in the present review. In short, infection due to helminths (Schistosoma spp. and Strongyloides stercoralis) and intestinal protozoa (Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia or Cyclospora cayetanensis) can be diagnosed by multiple direct stool examination, serological assays and stool antigen testing. Leishmaniasis can be assessed by means of serology, followed by nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) if the former test is positive. Submicroscopic malaria should be ruled out by NAAT. Screening for Histoplasma spp. or Cryptococcus spp. is not routinely indicated. Consultation with an Infectious Diseases specialist is recommended in order to adjust preemptive treatment among Sub-Saharan African SOT candidates and recipients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Tiago Silva
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital "12 de Octubre", Research Institute Hospital "12 de Octubre" (imas12), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Mario Fernández-Ruiz
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital "12 de Octubre", Research Institute Hospital "12 de Octubre" (imas12), Madrid, Spain; Department of Medicine, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Paolo Antonio Grossi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria and ASST Sette Laghi, Ospedale di Circolo of Varese, Varese, Italy
| | - Pilar Hernández-Jimenez
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital "12 de Octubre", Research Institute Hospital "12 de Octubre" (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco López-Medrano
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital "12 de Octubre", Research Institute Hospital "12 de Octubre" (imas12), Madrid, Spain; Department of Medicine, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alessandra Mularoni
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Mediterraneo per i Trapianti e Terapie ad alta specializzazione (IRCCS-ISMETT), Palermo, Italy
| | - Beatriz Prista-Leão
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Center "São João", School of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Lurdes Santos
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Center "São João", School of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - José María Aguado
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital "12 de Octubre", Research Institute Hospital "12 de Octubre" (imas12), Madrid, Spain; Department of Medicine, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
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Wong SSY, Fung KSC, Chau S, Poon RWS, Wong SCY, Yuen KY. Molecular diagnosis in clinical parasitology: When and why? Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2014; 239:1443-60. [DOI: 10.1177/1535370214523880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Microscopic detection and morphological identification of parasites from clinical specimens are the gold standards for the laboratory diagnosis of parasitic infections. The limitations of such diagnostic assays include insufficient sensitivity and operator dependence. Immunoassays for parasitic antigens are not available for most parasitic infections and have not significantly improved the sensitivity of laboratory detection. Advances in molecular detection by nucleic acid amplification may improve the detection in asymptomatic infections with low parasitic burden. Rapidly accumulating genomic data on parasites allow the design of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers directed towards multi-copy gene targets, such as the ribosomal and mitochondrial genes, which further improve the sensitivity. Parasitic cell or its free circulating parasitic DNA can be shed from parasites into blood and excreta which may allow its detection without the whole parasite being present within the portion of clinical sample used for DNA extraction. Multiplex nucleic acid amplification technology allows the simultaneous detection of many parasitic species within a single clinical specimen. In addition to improved sensitivity, nucleic acid amplification with sequencing can help to differentiate different parasitic species at different stages with similar morphology, detect and speciate parasites from fixed histopathological sections and identify anti-parasitic drug resistance. The use of consensus primer and PCR sequencing may even help to identify novel parasitic species. The key limitation of molecular detection is the technological expertise and expense which are usually lacking in the field setting at highly endemic areas. However, such tests can be useful for screening important parasitic infections in asymptomatic patients, donors or recipients coming from endemic areas in the settings of transfusion service or tertiary institutions with transplantation service. Such tests can also be used for monitoring these recipients or highly immunosuppressed patients, so that early preemptive treatment can be given for reactivated parasitic infections while the parasitic burden is still low.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samson SY Wong
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Kitty SC Fung
- Department of Pathology, United Christian Hospital, Kwun Tong of New Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Sandy Chau
- Department of Pathology, United Christian Hospital, Kwun Tong of New Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Rosana WS Poon
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Sally CY Wong
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Kwok-Yung Yuen
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
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Beating the odds: factors implicated in the speed and availability of unrelated haematopoietic cell donor provision. Bone Marrow Transplant 2012; 48:210-9. [DOI: 10.1038/bmt.2012.54] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Migration and malaria in europe. Mediterr J Hematol Infect Dis 2012; 4:e2012014. [PMID: 22536477 PMCID: PMC3335816 DOI: 10.4084/mjhid.2012.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2011] [Accepted: 02/06/2011] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The proportion of imported malaria cases due to immigrants in Europe has increased during the lasts decades, with higher rates associated with settled immigrants who travel to visit friends and relatives (VFRs) in their country of origin. Cases are mainly due to P. falciparum and Sub-Saharan Africa is the most common origin. Clinically, malaria in immigrants is characterised by a mild clinical presentation including asymptomatic or delayed malaria cases and low parasitic levels. These characteristics may be explained by a semi-immunity acquired after long periods of time exposed to stable malaria transmission. Malaria cases among immigrants, even asymptomatic patients with sub-microscopic parasitemia, could increase the risk of transmission and cause the reintroduction of malaria in certain areas that have adequate vectors and climate conditions. Moreover, imported malaria cases in immigrants can also play an important role in the non-vector transmission out of endemic areas, through blood transfusions, organ transplantation or congenital transmission or occupational exposures. Consequently, outside of endemic areas, malaria screening should be carried out among recently arrived immigrants coming from malaria endemic countries. The aim of screening is to reduce the risk of clinical malaria in the individual as well as to prevent autochthonous transmission of malaria in areas where it has been eradicated.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To provide an updated perspective of the most common parasitic infections occurring in solid-organ transplant (SOT) recipients. RECENT FINDINGS Parasitic infections are an emerging problem in SOT programs and represent a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Transplantation in endemic areas - including medical tourism, international travel and migration - justify the necessity of considering parasitic infections in the differential diagnosis of posttransplant complications. Molecular techniques, such as PCR, may improve the diagnostic accuracy and help during the follow-up. SUMMARY Parasitic infections are an uncommon but potentially severe complication in SOT recipients. An increase of donors emigrated from tropical areas and more posttransplant patients traveling to endemic areas have led to a rise in parasitic infections reported among SOT recipients. Transplant physicians should get familiar with parasitic infections and promote adherence to preventive measures in SOT recipients.
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Abstract
Parasitic infections are an uncommon but potentially severe complication in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. An increase in donors who have emigrated from tropical areas and more transplant recipients traveling to endemic areas have led to a rise in parasitic infections reported among SOT recipients. Clinicians should include these infections in their differential diagnosis and promote adherence to preventive measures in SOT recipients.
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