Diagnosis and Treatment of Infection in Cardiac Transplant Patients

The management of infections in the transplantation patient must be specialized to include a keen sense of awareness of both “routine” bacterial infection as well as opportunistic infections. Infections that occur within 1 month after transplantation are termed “early” and frequently are bacterial in etiology. Those occurring after 1 month are termed “late” infections, are frequently pulmonary, and are caused by protozoa, viruses, and fungi. An aggressive approach to the diagnosis of the specific etiology of each infection is essential, as therapy must be appropriate and must be given early to be effective.