Complex bacterial infections pre- and posttransplant

Abstract

Infections complications following lung transplantation are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Management of infections is most challenging in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), but all lung transplant recipients are at heightened risk for opportunistic infections. Particularly in CF, pretransplant infections with PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA, other highly resistant bacteria (e.g., STENOTROPHOMONAS, BURKHOLDERIA), and mycobacteria play a major role in recipient selection and post-lung transplant outcomes. Understanding the clinical impact and management strategies for each of these different pathogens is critical to maximizing the benefit of lung transplantation. In the review, we discuss each of these infections both as pretransplant risk factors as well as posttransplant pathogens and the individual issues that arise with each infection.