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Organ transplantation carries the risk for transmitting viruses, bacteria, fungi, and prions. Prompt recognition and treatment of infections is crucial in transplant recipients but is often difficult because disease manifestations can be unusual in immunocompromised individuals.
The CDC recently detailed the transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis — which was not identified in the donor before transplantation — to the recipients of his kidneys. The donor had a history of homelessness, alcoholism, and incarceration. Although he had experienced two bouts of pneumonia in the 6 months before his death, two tuberculin skin tests performed during that period had been negative, and he had not been identified as a contact of any person with TB.
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