Infections in solid organ transplant recipients

A disturbing trend in evolution for sometime has culminated in the fact that resistant Gram-positive bacteria including enterococci and staphylococci have emerged as the leading pathogens at many transplant centers. Recently published reports have highlighted the formidable challenge such antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms now pose in transplant recipients. Studies published within the past year have documented the clinical relevance of human herpesvirus-6 after transplantation, as well as the transmission of human herpesvirus-8 by transplanted allograft and the subsequent development of Kaposi's sarcoma in these patients. A novel hepatitis virus has been discovered; studies to elucidate its significance in the transplant setting are underway. (C) 1999 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.