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Patients undergoing thoracic organ transplantation procedures involving the heart or lung are at increased risk for developing a wide variety of infections due to their underlying immunosuppression and/or other factors. Lung transplant recipients are at high risk for developing infections caused by bacteria, viruses, and opportunistic fungi, whereas heart transplant recipients are at risk for developing infections caused by these same microorganisms, as well as parasitic infections, including toxoplasmosis and New World trypanosomiasis. This review will highlight the various infections that thoracic organ transplant recipients may develop following their procedures.

Patients who need abdominal organ transplantation are at high risk for community-acquired, nosocomial, and opportunistic infections. In part, this is due to the invasive procedures they undergo, as well as the immunosuppression they require. This review highlights the infections that these vulnerable patients may develop. The current epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of common infections in liver, kidney, pancreas, and intestinal transplant (IT) recipients are summarized here.