Considerations for Screening Live Kidney Donors for Endemic Infections: A Viewpoint on the UNOS Policy. Issue 5 (17th March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Levi, M. E.; Kumar, D.; Green, M.; Ison, M. G.; Kaul, D.; Michaels, M. G.; Morris, M. I.; Schwartz, B. S.; Echenique, I. A.; Blumberg, E. A.
• Is Part Of: American journal of transplantation. Volume 14:Issue 5(2014:May)
• Page Start: 1003
• Page End: 1011
• Publication Date: 2014-03-17
• Subjects: Transplantation of organs, tissues, etc -- Periodicals; 617.95
• DOI: 10.1111/ajt.12666
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1600-6135

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="ajt12666-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <p>In February 2013, the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network mandated that transplant centers perform screening of living kidney donors prior to transplantation for <italic>Strongyloides</italic>, <italic>Trypanosoma cruzi</italic> and West Nile virus (WNV) infection if the donor is from an endemic area. However, specific guidelines for screening were not provided, such as the optimal testing modalities, timing of screening prior to donation and the appropriate selection of donors. In this regard, the American Society of Transplantation Infectious Diseases Community of Practice, together with disease‐specific experts, has developed this viewpoint document to provide guidance for the testing of live donors for <italic>Strongyloides</italic>, <italic>T. cruzi</italic> and WNV infection, specifically identifying at‐risk populations and testing algorithms, including advantages, limitations and interpretation of results.</p> </sec> </abstract>