Transplant infectious disease : an official journal of the Transplantation Society
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Deceased organ donors, where the cause of death is meningitis or encephalitis, are a potential concern because of the risks of transmission of a potentially fatal infection to recipients. ⋯ Donors dying with M/E represent a valuable source of organs for transplantation. The risk of disease transmission is low but, where the causative agent is unknown, caution is required.
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With the introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) that has significantly improved survival, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients may be potential organ donors to HIV-positive recipients in a few countries. Organ shortage remains a challenge for organ transplantation in Taiwan, where organ donation by HIV-positive patients remains prohibited by law. ⋯ We concluded that a significant proportion (71.9%) of HIV-positive Taiwanese patients were willing to donate their organs. The willingness was associated with a higher education level, prior registered willingness to donate organs, and awareness of HIVDD.
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Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) displays oncogenic properties, particularly in the immunocompromised host. Notably, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) recipients with a detectable blood EBV viral load (BEBVL) are considered at higher risk of post-transplant lymphoproliferative diseases (PTLD). Therefore, BEBVL is monitored after HSCT, and preemptive rituximab may be used in patients with high values. However, little is known about post-HSCT BEBVL dynamics, and the threshold that should lead to anti-CD20 therapy is poorly defined. ⋯ BEBVL is frequently detectable after HSCT, but suggests no strong association with survival. Preemptive rituximab therapy threshold remains to be defined.