Multidrug-Resistant Bacterial Infections in Solid Organ Transplant Candidates and Recipients

Abstract

The current era is ruled by an alarming evolution of antimicrobial resistance. Solid organ transplant recipients are prone to develop infections caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens. The current challenges in this setting include screening of donors and recipients, and prevention/treatment of donor-derived and posttransplant infections. The epidemiology of these infections varies between centers, type of transplanted organ, and pathogen. Treatment options are limited. Efforts to reduce carbapenem antibiotic pressure and infection control measures are necessary to reverse the spread of multidrug-resistant pathogens. Novel drugs for gram-negative multidrug-resistant bacilli may contribute to reduce carbapenemase diffusion and reduce the rate of treatment failure.

Keywords: Carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacilli; Donor-derived infections; Extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing enterobacteriaceae; Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Multidrug-resistant pathogens; Solid organ transplantation; Vancomycin-resistant enterococci.