Infections in the Adult Solid Organ Transplant Recipient

Solid organ transplant recipients remain at increased risk of infections due to the lifelong need for immunosuppression. The time since transplantation and the degree of immunosuppression are key factors in determining which infections solid organ transplant recipients are most susceptible to. Primary care providers must be attuned to the special needs of this population and know when to involve infectious disease specialists. This chapter reviews common and serious infections seen in solid organ transplant recipients, including approaches to the initial infectious workup for patients presenting with diarrhea, respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, central nervous system infections, and skin and soft tissue infections.