A Review of Cutaneous Diseases Observed in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

Abstract

Solid organ transplant recipients are at increased risk for numerous cutaneous conditions that fall within four categories: pre-neoplastic, neoplastic, infectious, or idiopathic. Many of these diseases can be attributed to immunosuppressive medications, including mycophenolate mofetil, cyclosporine, azathioprine, tacrolimus, or glucocorticoids. Iatrogenic lessening of the immune system places the patient at risk of malignancies, opportunistic infections, immune-mediated dermatoses, and adverse effects of medications. As the life expectancy of patients with solid organ transplants continues to increase, dermatologists and transplant physicians must stay abreast of this spectrum of dermatologic conditions, their respective prognoses, prevention, mitigation, and treatment.

Keywords: Solid organ transplant recipient; cutaneous neoplasms; immunosuppressants; infectious disease; inflammatory dermatoses.