Chagas Disease, Leishmaniasis, and Malaria in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

Abstract

Solid organ transplantation (SOT) is increasingly employed worldwide to treat several diseases causing both acute and chronic organ failure. Recipients of SOT are at an increased risk to develop infections as a consequence of immunosuppressive therapy. Sometimes such infections may be acquired by the transplanted organ or by reactivation of a previously acquired latent infection. The globalization and the increase of international travel poses a risk for exposure to infections such as Chagas disease (CD), leishmaniasis, and malaria endemic in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. We have reviewed the literature regarding risk factors, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of CD, leishmaniasis, and malaria in the setting of SOT.