Toxoplasmosis In Organ Transplant Recipients
Toxoplasmosis can also be transmitted by transplantation of infected organs. This is usually common in liver, kidney, and heart transplants [5]. It is also common in allogeneic and hematopoietic stem cell transplants. Transplants of an infected tissue makes the recipient more susceptible to T. gondii reactivation.
According to studies in the Netherlands in 2013, the transmission of Toxoplasmosis gondii during a heart transplant has no impact on survival period in 577 patients who had a transplantation surgery between 1984 and 2011. 324 out of the 577 patients tested positive for T. gondii.
On the other hand, a smaller research from Mexico in 2017 showed that 20 cases of T. gondii transmission occurred due to a liver transplant [6]. The investigations showed that 14 patients or 70% had to be evaluated for T. gondii reactivation after the transplant. 8 out of the 20 cases died due to the infection.
Although these two studies are contradictory, the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) created by the U. S congress in 1984 declared that all donated organs should be routinely screened for T. gondii. People who test positive should not be removed from the supply chain but should be matched with donors that are also positive.