Preface

Transplantation is a complex, multidisciplinary specialty. Modern immunosuppressive therapy has improved patient and graft outcome. However, this places transplant patients at risk for a variety of infectious complications. Advances in transplant infectious diseases such as molecular diagnostics and novel therapeutics, coupled with the changing epidemiology of infectious agents, have greatly increased the complexity surrounding appropriate prevention and management of infections in these patients.

This is the first edition of the AST Handbook of Transplant Infections. It offers practical guidance on both common and unusual issues encountered in both solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients. The handbook offers a practical approach to specific clinical syndromes after transplantation, as well as diagnosis, prevention and therapy of specific infections. We also address scenarios related to the prevention of donor-derived infections, common drug interactions, and other issues specifically related to the transplant patient.

The book does not go through comprehensive dosing or spectrum of activity of commonly used antimicrobials. It is assumed that the reader has some general knowledge of antimicrobials, their overall spectrum of coverage and dose adjustments in renal failure.

The handbook will be updated regularly. This book is endorsed by the American Society of Transplantation (AST). We acknowledge the members of the AST Infectious Diseases Community of Practice, whose members conceived the idea, and wrote and reviewed the chapters. In addition, we thank the members of the AST Pharmacy Community of Practice for reviewing selected sections.

We hope that you will find the handbook useful in your daily clinical practice.

Deepali Kumar & Atul Humar

Edmonton