Challenges in the Diagnosis and Management of Bacterial Lung Infections in Solid Organ Recipients: A Narrative Review

Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Feb 12;21(4):1221. doi: 10.3390/ijms21041221.

Abstract

Respiratory infections pose a significant threat to the success of solid organ transplantation, and the diagnosis and management of these infections are challenging. The current narrative review addressed some of these challenges, based on evidence from the literature published in the last 20 years. Specifically, we focused our attention on (i) the obstacles to an etiologic diagnosis of respiratory infections among solid organ transplant recipients, (ii) the management of bacterial respiratory infections in an era characterized by increased antimicrobial resistance, and (iii) the development of antimicrobial stewardship programs dedicated to solid organ transplant recipients.

Keywords: pneumonia; respiratory infections; solid organ transplants.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antimicrobial Stewardship / methods
  • Bacteria / drug effects
  • Bacterial Infections / diagnosis*
  • Bacterial Infections / drug therapy*
  • Bacterial Infections / etiology
  • Databases, Factual
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Organ Transplantation*
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / diagnosis*
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / drug therapy*
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / etiology
  • Transplant Recipients

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents