Skip directly to site content Skip directly to search


Español  Other Languages


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC twenty four seven. Saving Lives, Protecting People
 Search

		Submit


Transplant Safety








Outbreak Investigations										Related Pages
										On this Page
			Pertinent Published ReportsBacteria TransmissionsFungus TransmissionsParasite TransmissionsOther Publications
		
Transplant Safety: Recognizing Donor-Derived InfectionsExternalExternal
Estimates of Infection
Transplant transmitted infections are very rare. They are suspected in about 1% of transplants and confirmed in far fewer (Kaul, et al).Pertinent Published Reports of CDC Investigated Infectious Diseases Transmitted through Transplantation – United States (2000 – 2021)Virus TransmissionsCDC Expert CommentaryTransplant Safety: Recognizing Donor-Derived Infections Microsporidiosis is an emerging transplant-associated infection, and CDC depends on astute clinicians to recognize the signs of this and other donor-derived diseases. February 2014
Rebecca J. Free, Pallavi Annambhotla, Ricardo M. La Hoz, Lara Danziger-Isakov, Jefferson M. Jones, Lijuan Wang, Senthil Sankthivel, Marilyn E. Levi, Marian G. Michaels, Wendi Kuhnert, David Klassen, Sridhar V. Basavaraju, Ian T. Kracalik, Risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission through solid organ transplantation and outcomes of COVID-19 among recent transplant recipients, *Open Forum Infectious Diseases*, 2022;, ofac221, https://doi.org/10.1093/ofid/ofac221
Bixler D, Annambhotla P, Montgomery M, et al. Unexpected hepatitis B virus infection after liver transplantation — United States, 2014–2019. *American Journal of Transplantation*. 09/01 2021;21:3190-3195. doi:10.1111/ajt.16045
Soto R, McDonald E, Annambhotla P, et al. West Nile Virus Transmission by Solid Organ Transplantation and Considerations for Organ Donor Screening Practices, United States. *Emerging infectious diseases*. 11/29 2021;28doi:10.3201/eid2802.211697
Sherman A, Lu X, Schneider E, et al. Human Adenovirus 11 in 2 Renal Transplant Recipients: Suspected Donor-Derived Infection. *Open Forum Infectious Diseases*. 02/25 2021;8doi:10.1093/ofid/ofab092
Dollard S, Annambhotla P, Wong P, et al. Donor-derived human herpesvirus 8 and development of Kaposi sarcoma among 6 recipients of organs from donors with high-risk sexual and substance use behavior. *American Journal of Transplantation*. 07/01 2020;21doi:10.1111/ajt.16181
Pouch SM, et al. Transmission of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus from an Organ Donor to Three Transplant Recipients. Clinical Infectious Disease. 2018 Oct 29 (epub ahead of print).
Dollard SC, et al. Donor-derived Kaposi’s sarcoma in a liver-kidney transplant recipient. Am J Transplant. 2018 Feb;18(2):510-513.
White, S. L., Rawlinson, W., Boan, P., Sheppeard, V., Wong, G., Waller, K., Opdam, H., Kaldor, J., Fink, M., Verran, D., Webster, A., Wyburn, K., Grayson, L., Glanville, A., Cross, N., Irish, A., Coates, T., Griffin, A., Snell, G., Alexander, S. I., ... Ison, M. (2018). Infectious Disease Transmission in Solid Organ Transplantation: Donor Evaluation, Recipient Risk, and Outcomes of Transmission. *Transplantation direct*, *5*(1), e416. https://doi.org/10.1097/TXD.0000000000000852
Foster MA, et al. Transmission of Hepatitis A Virus through Combined Liver-Small Intestine-Pancreas Transplantation. Emerg Infect Dis. 2017 Apr;23(4):590-596.
MA Foster, LM Weil, S Lin, T Johnson, T Hayden, Y Khudyakov, PD Annambhotla, SV Basavaraju, S Kamili, JM Ritter, N Nelson, G Mazariegos, M Green, RW. Himes, DT Kuhar, MJ Kuehnert, JA Miller, R Wiseman, AC Moorman. Transmission of Hepatitis A virus through combined liver-small intestine-pancreas transplantation. Emerg Infect Dis. 2017 Apr;23(4):590-596. doi: 10.3201/eid2304.161532.
Mathur, K. Yadav, B. Ford, I.J. Schafer, SV Basavaraju, B Knust, W. Shieh, S. Hill, GD Locke, P. Quinlisk, S. Brown, A. Gibbons, D. Cannon, M. Kuehnert, ST Nichol, PE Rollin, U Ströher, R.Miller. High clinical suspicion of donor-derived disease leads to timely recognition and early intervention to treat solid organ transplant-transmitted Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus. Transpl Infect Dis. 2017 Apr 19. doi: 10.1111/tid.12707. [Epub ahead of print].
Suryaprasad A, et al. Transmission of Hepatitis C Virus From Organ Donors Despite Nucleic Acid Test Screening. Am J Transplant. 2015 Jul;15(7):1827-35.
Vora NM, et al. Raccoon rabies virus variant transmission through solid organ transplantation. 2013 Jul 24; 310(4):398-407.
Blau DM, et al. West Nile virus RNA in tissues from donor associated with transmission to organ transplant recipients. Emerg Infect Dis. 2013;19(9):1518-20.
Macneil A, et al. Solid organ transplant-associated lymphocytic choriomeningitis, United States, 2011. Emerg Infect Dis. 2012 Aug;18(8):1256-62.
MacNeil, A., et al. Solid organ transplant-associated lymphocytic choriomeningitis, United States, 2011, Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2012. 18(8):1256-1262Fischer SA, et al. Transmission of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus by organ transplantation. N Engl J Med. 2006;354:2235–49.
Ison MG, et al. Transmission of human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C virus from an organ donor to four transplant recipients. Am J Transplant. 2011 Jun;11(6):1218-25.
Transmission of hepatitis C virus through transplanted organs and tissue—Kentucky and Massachusetts, 2011 [published erratum appears in MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2012;61(4):80]. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2011;60(50):1697-700.
Ison, M.G., Llata, E, Conover, C S, et al., Transmission of human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C from an organ donor to four transplant recipients. Am J Transplant, 2011. 11(6):1218-1225.
HIV Transmitted from a Living Organ Donor — New York City, 2009. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2011. 60(10):297-301.
Notes from the Field: Transplant-Transmitted Hepatitis B Virus – United States, 2010. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2011. 60(32):1087.
Potential Transmission of Viral Hepatitis through Use of Stored Vessels as Conduits in Organ Transplantation – Pennsylvania, 2009. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2011:60(6):172-174.
West Nile Virus Transmission via Organ Transplantation and Blood Transfusion — Louisiana, 2008. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2009. 58(45):1263-1267.
Potential Transmission of Viral Hepatitis through Use of Stored Vessels as Conduits in Organ Transplantation – Pennsylvania, 2009. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2011:60(6):172-174.
West Nile virus transmission via organ transplantation and blood transfusion—Louisiana, 2008. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2009;58:1263–7.
Brief report: lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus transmitted through solid organ transplantation- Massachusetts, 2008. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2008;57:799–801.
Brief Report: Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus Transmitted Through Solid Organ Transplantation — Massachusetts, 2008. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2008. 57(29):799-801.
Fischer, S.A., et al., Transmission of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus by organ transplantation. N Engl J Med, 2006. 354(21):2235-49.CDC.
West Nile Virus Infections in Organ Transplant Recipients — New York and Pennsylvania, August–September, 2005. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2005. 54(40):1021-1023.
Srinivasan, A., et al., Transmission of rabies virus from an organ donor to four transplant recipients. N Engl J Med, 2005. 352(11):1103-11.Srinivasan A, et al. Transmission of rabies virus from an organ donor to four transplant recipients. NEJM. 2005;352:1103–11.
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection in organ transplant recipients—Massachusetts, Rhode Island, 2005. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2005;54:537–9.
West Nile virus infections in organ transplant recipients—New York and Pennsylvania, August–September, 2005. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep.2005;54:1021–3.
Public Health Dispatch: West Nile Virus Infection in Organ Donor and Transplant Recipients — Georgia and Florida, 2002. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2002. 51(35):790.
Update: Investigation of West Nile Virus infections in recipients of organ transplantation and blood transfusion – Michigan, 2002. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2002. 51(39):879.
Hepatitis C Virus Transmission from an Antibody-Negative Organ and Tissue Donor — United States, 2000–2002. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2003. 52(13):273-276.Top of PageBacteria TransmissionsMalinis M, La Hoz RM, Vece G, Annambhotla P, Aslam S, Basavaraju SV, Bucio J, Danziger-Isakov L, Florescu DF, Jones JM, Rana M, Wolfe CR, Michaels MG. Donor-derived tuberculosis among solid organ transplant recipients in the United States-2008 to 2018. Transpl Infect Dis. 2022 Apr;24(2):e13800. doi: 10.1111/tid.13800. Epub 2022 Feb 4. PMID: 35064737.
Li R, Wilson W, Schwartz N, et al. Notes from the Field: Tuberculosis Outbreak Linked to a Contaminated Bone Graft Product Used in Spinal Surgery – Delaware, March-June 2021. *MMWR Morbidity and mortality weekly report*. 09/10 2021;70:1261-1263. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm7036a4
Saha A, Browning C, Dandamudi R, et al. Donor-derived Ehrlichiosis: 2 Clusters Following Solid Organ Transplantation. *Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America*. 07/30 2021;doi:10.1093/cid/ciab667
Mowla S, Drexler N, Cherry C, Annambholta P, Kracalik I, Basavaraju S. Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis among Transfusion and Transplant Recipients in the United States. *Emerging Infectious Diseases*. 11/01 2021;27doi:10.3201/eid2711.211127
Bardossy A, Snavely E, Nazarian E, et al. Donor‐derived transmission through lung transplantation of carbapenem‐resistant Acinetobacter baumannii producing the OXA‐23 carbapenemase during an ongoing healthcare facility outbreak. *Transplant Infectious Disease*. 02/01 2020;22doi:10.1111/tid.13256
Jones JM, Vikram HR, Lauzardo M, Hill A, Jones J, Haley C, Seaworth B, Oldham S, Brown M, Gutierrez F, Basavaraju SV. Tuberculosis transmission across three states: The story of a solid organ donor born in an endemic country, 2018. Transpl Infect Dis. 2020 Dec;22(6):e13357. doi: 10.1111/tid.13357. Epub 2020 Jul 8. PMID: 32510808; PMCID: PMC7879577.
Nelson C, Murua C, Jones J, et al. Francisella tularensis Transmission by Solid Organ Transplantation, 20171. *Emerging Infectious Diseases*. 04/01 2019;25doi:10.3201/eid2504.181807
Jones S, Jones J, Leung V, et al. Sepsis Attributed to Bacterial Contamination of Platelets Associated with a Potential Common Source — Multiple States, 2018. *MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report*. 06/14 2019;68:519-523. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm6823a2Novosad SAet al. Mycoplasma hominis Infections Transmitted Through Amniotic Tissue Product. Clin Infect Dis. 2017 Oct 1;65(7):1152-1158.
SA Novosad, SV Basavaraju, M. Mohr, P Annambhotla, A. Halpin, L. Foy, R Chmielewski, JM Winchell, AJ Benitez, SS Morrison, T Johnson, DM Crabb, AE Ratliff, K. Waites, MJ Kuehnert. Mycoplasma hominis Infections Transmitted through Amniotic Tissue Product. Clin Infect Dis. 2017 Oct 1;65(7):1152-1158.
Kay A, et al. Solid Organ Transplant-Transmitted Tuberculosis Linked to a Community Outbreak – California, 2015..Am J Transplant. 2017 Oct;17(10):2733-2736.
Wendt JM, et al. Transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection through solid organ transplantation: confirmation via whole genome sequencing. Am J Transplant. 2014 Nov; 14(11):2633-9.
Transmission of Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli through Kidney Transplantation – California and Texas, 2009. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2010. 59(50): p. 1642-1646.
Cartwright, E.J., et al., Transmission of Elizabethkingia meningoseptica (formerly Chryseobacterium meningosepticum) to tissue-allograft recipients: a report of two cases. J Bone Joint Surg Am, 2010. 92(6): p. 1501-6.
Transplantation-Transmitted Tuberculosis — Oklahoma and Texas, 2007. MMWR, 2007. 57(13): p. 333-336.
Winthrop, K.L., et al., Transmission of mycobacterium tuberculosis via lung transplantation. Am J Transplant, 2004. 4(9): p. 1529-33.
Kainer, M.A., et al.. Clostridium infections associated with musculoskeletal-tissue allografts. N Engl J Med, 2004. 350(25): p. 2564-71.
Clostridial Endophthalmitis after Cornea Transplantation — Florida, 2003. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2003. 52(48): p. 1176-1179.
Invasive Streptococcus pyogenes After Allograft Implantation — Colorado, 2003. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2003. 52(48): p. 1173-1176.
Septic Arthritis Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using Tendon Allografts — Florida and Louisiana, 2000. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2001. 50(48): p. 1081-1083.
Update: Allograft-Associated Bacterial Infections — United States, 2002. MMWR, 2002. 51(10): p. 207-210.Top of PageFungus TransmissionsNatarajan P, Lockhart S, Basavaraju S, et al. Donor‐derived Cryptococcus gattii sensu stricto infection in two kidney transplant recipients, southeastern United States. *American Journal of Transplantation*. 06/01 2021;21doi:10.1111/ajt.16729
Penumarthi L, Hoz R, Wolfe C, et al. Cryptococcus transmission through solid organ transplantation in the United States: A Report from the Ad Hoc Disease Transmission Advisory Committee. *American Journal of Transplantation*. 12/08 2020;21doi:10.1111/ajt.16433
Dellière S, Gits-Muselli M, Bretagne S, Alanio A. Outbreak-Causing Fungi: Pneumocystis jirovecii. Mycopathologia. 2020 Oct;185(5):783-800. doi: 10.1007/s11046-019-00408-w. Epub 2019 Nov 28. PMID: 31782069.
Smith RM, et al. Three Cases of Neurologic Syndrome Caused by Donor-Derived Microsporidiosis. Emerg Infect Dis. 2017 Mar;23(3):387-395.
Hocevar SN, et al. Microsporidiosis acquired through solid organ transplantation: a public health investigation. Ann Intern Med. 2014
Engelthaler, D.M., et al. Next-generation sequencing of Coccidioides immitis isolated during cluster investigation. Emerg Infect Dis, 2011. 17(2): p. 227-32.
Baddley, J.W., et al. Transmission of Cryptococcus neoformans by Organ Transplantation. Clin Infect Dis, 2011. 52(4): p. e94-8.
Alexander, B.D., et al., Fatal Apophysomyces elegans infection transmitted by deceased donor renal allografts. Am J Transplant, 2010. 10(9): p. 2161-7.Top of PageParasite TransmissionsAbanyie FA, et al. Organ Donor Screening Practices for *Strongyloides stercoralis*Infection among US Organ Procurement Organizations. Transplant Infectious Disease. 2018: 20(3): e12865.
Gray EB, et al. Reactivation of Chagas disease among heart transplant recipients in the United States, 2012‐ Transpl Infect Dis. 2018;e12996. https://doi.org/10.1111/tid.12996
Farnon EC, et al. Transmission of Balamuthia mandrillaris by Organ Transplantation. Clin Infect Dis. 2016 Oct 1;63(7):878-888.
Abanyie FA, et al., Donor-Derived *Strongyloides stercoralis* Infection in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients in the United States, 2009-2013 Am J Transplant. 2015: 15(5):1369–75.
Transmission of Strongyloides stercoralis through transplantation of solid organs – Pennsylvania, 2012.  MMWR, 2013. 62(14);264-266.
Balamuthia mandrillaris Transmitted through Organ Transplantation – Mississippi, 2009. MMWR, 2010. 59(36):1165-1170.
Notes from the Field: Transplant-Transmitted Balamuthia mandrillaris — Arizona, 2010. MMWR, 2010. 59(36):1182.
Kun, H, et al. Transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi by heart transplantation, Clin Infect Dis, 2009. 48:1534-40.
Chagas Disease after Organ Transplantation – Los Angeles, California, 2006. MMWR, 2006. 55(29): p. 798-800.
Chagas Disease after Organ Transplantation – United States, 2001. MMWR, 2002. 51(10): p. 210-212.Top of PageOther PublicationsAbara W, Collier M, Moorman A, et al. Characteristics of deceased solid organ donors and screening results for hepatitis B, C, and human immunodeficiency viruses – United States, 2010-2017. *American Journal of Transplantation*. 03/01 2019;19:939-947. doi:10.1111/ajt.15284
Jones J, Gurbaxani B, Asher A, et al. Quantifying the Risk of Undetected HIV , Hepatitis B Virus, or Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Public Health Service Increased Risk Donors. *American Journal of Transplantation*. 04/13 2019;19doi:10.1111/ajt.15393
Smalley HK, et al. Assessment of risk for transplant-transmissible infectious encephalitis among deceased organ donors. Transpl Infect Dis. 2018 Oct;20(5):e12933.
Annambhotla PD, et al. A model to estimate the probability of human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C infection despite negative nucleic acid testing among increased-risk organ donors. Transpl Infect Dis. 2017 Apr;19(2).
Basavaraju SV, et al. Encephalitis caused by pathogens transmitted through organ transplants, United States, 2002-2013. Emerg Infect Dis. 2014 Sep;20(9):1443-51.
Miller RA, et al. Communication gaps for solid organ transplant-transmitted infections among infectious disease physicians: an Emerging Infections Network survey. Transpl Infect Dis. 2013 Feb;15(1):8-13.
Grossi PA, et al. Infections and organ transplantation: new challenges for prevention and treatment–a colloquium. Transplantation. 2012 Mar 15;93(5 Suppl):S4-S39.
Nett RJ, et al. Current practices and evaluation of screening solid organ donors for West Nile virus. Transpl Infect Dis. 2012 Jun;14(3):268-77.
Greenwald MA, et al. Infectious disease transmission during organ and tissue transplantation. Emerg Infect Dis. 2012 Aug;18(8).
Ellingson K, et al. Estimated risk of human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C virus infection among potential organ donors from 17 organ procurement organizations in the United States. J Transplant. 2011 Jun;11(6):1201-8.
Strong DM, et al. Development of a transplantation transmission sentinel network to improve safety and traceability of organ and tissues. Cell Tissue Bank. 2010 Nov;11(4):335-43.
Fishman JA, et al. Organ and tissue safety workshop 2007: advances and challenges. Cell Tissue Bank. 2009 Aug;10(3):271-80.
Ison MG, et al. Donor-derived disease transmission events in the United States: data reviewed by the OPTN/UNOS Disease Transmission Advisory Committee. Am J Transplant. 2009 Aug;9(8):1929-35.
Kuehnert MJ, et al. Human tissue oversight in hospitals: an AABB survey. AABB Tissue Task Force. Transfusion. 2007 Feb;47(2):194-200.
Fishman JA, et al.  Enhancing transplant safety: a new era in the microbiologic evaluation of organ donors? Am J Transplant. 2007 Dec;7(12):2652-4.Reference:
Kaul DR, Vece G, Blumberg E, La Hoz RM, Ison MG, Green M, Pruett T, Nalesnik MA, Tlusty SM, Wilk AR, Wolfe CR, Michaels MG. Ten years of donor-derived disease: A report of the disease transmission advisory committee. Am J Transplant. 2021 Feb;21(2):689-702. doi: 10.1111/ajt.16178. Epub 2020 Jul 25. PMID: 32627325.Top of Page
							
					
							Last Reviewed:  October 13, 2022						Source: 	Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID), Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion (DHQP)
					Facebook
        Twitter
        LinkedIn
        Syndicate homeTransplant Safety
Transplant Safety Overviewplus icon
Key Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
CDC’s Role
Outbreak Investigations
Protecting Patientsplus icon
Donor Screening and Testing
Investigating, Tracking and Reporting Infections
Information for Healthcare Providersplus icon
Current Guideline for Organ Transplants
Additional Transplant Related Organizations
CDC’s Transplant-Transmitted Infection Process Antibiotic ResistanceBlood SafetyDialysis SafetyGet Smart for HealthcareHICPACHand HygieneInjection SafetyMedication SafetySepsisVaccine Safety


About CDC
					Contact Us
					800-232-4636
 Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Youtube Pinterest Snapchat
 CONTACT CDC
				Contact Us
							Call 800-232-4636
							Email Us
			ABOUT CDC
				About CDC
							Jobs
							Funding
			POLICIES
				Accessibility
							External Links
							Privacy
							Policies
							No Fear Act
							FOIA
							OIG
							Nondiscrimination
							Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			CONNECT WITH US
				Facebook
								Twitter
								Instagram
								LinkedIn
							Youtube
								Pinterest
								Snapchat
								Email
			LANGUAGES
				Español
							繁體中文
							Tiếng Việt
							한국어
							Tagalog
							Русский
							العربية
							Kreyòl Ayisyen
							Français
							Polski
							Português
							Italiano
							Deutsch
							日本語
							فارسی
							English


U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
			Accessibility
			External Links
			Privacy
			Policies
			No Fear Act
			FOIA
			Nondiscrimination
			OIG
			Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			USA.gov


Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy Close
 Links with this icon  indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
				Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
				You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
				CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. Website Disclaimers
 Cancel Continue