Tropical Infections in the Context of Kidney Transplantation in Latin America

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2021 Jun 28;105(3):564-572. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.19-0926.

Abstract

Reports on tropical infections among kidney transplant (KT) recipients have increased in recent years, mainly because of the growing number of KT programs located in tropical and subtropical areas, and greater mobility or migration between different areas of the world. Endemic in emerging and developing regions, like most countries in Latin America, tropical infections are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in this population. Tropical infections in KT recipients may exhibit different pathways for acquisition compared with those in nonrecipients, such as transmission through a graft and reactivation of a latent infection triggered by immunosuppression. Clinical presentation may differ compared with that in immunocompetent patients, and there are also particularities in diagnostic aspects, treatment, and prognosis. KT patients must be screened for latent infections and immunized properly. Last, drug-drug interactions between immunosuppressive agents and drugs used to treat tropical infections are an additional challenge in KT patients. In this review, we summarize the management of tropical infections in KT patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Arbovirus Infections / diagnosis*
  • Arbovirus Infections / immunology
  • Arbovirus Infections / therapy
  • Chagas Disease / diagnosis*
  • Chagas Disease / immunology
  • Chagas Disease / therapy
  • Chikungunya Fever / diagnosis
  • Chikungunya Fever / immunology
  • Chikungunya Fever / therapy
  • Dengue / diagnosis
  • Dengue / immunology
  • Dengue / therapy
  • Graft Rejection / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Kidney Transplantation*
  • Latin America
  • Leishmaniasis / diagnosis*
  • Leishmaniasis / immunology
  • Leishmaniasis / therapy
  • Strongyloidiasis / diagnosis*
  • Strongyloidiasis / immunology
  • Strongyloidiasis / therapy
  • Tuberculosis / diagnosis*
  • Tuberculosis / immunology
  • Tuberculosis / therapy
  • Yellow Fever / diagnosis
  • Yellow Fever / immunology
  • Yellow Fever / therapy
  • Zika Virus Infection / diagnosis
  • Zika Virus Infection / immunology
  • Zika Virus Infection / therapy

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents