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Increasing numbers of solid-organ transplants have resulted in increasing numbers and diversity of transplant-related infections. Now there is evidence that microsporidia of the species Encephalitozoon cuniculi have been transmitted by this route.
In February 2012, the CDC was notified of three patients who developed febrile illness 7 to 10 weeks after receiving organ transplants from a common donor. The left kidney recipient — a man with a history of polycystic kidney disease and hypertension — developed fever, myalgia, and fatigue about 9 weeks posttransplant. Workup at that time revealed IgM antibodies to Brucella. Despite broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment, the patient died 21 weeks posttransplant. Autopsy specimens revealed disseminate…