A Cluster of Fatal Tick-borne Encephalitis Virus Infection in Organ Transplant Setting.

Background: Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) infection has become a major health problem in Europe and is currently a common cause of viral brain infection in many countries. Encephalitis in transplant recipients, althrough rare, is becoming a recognized complication. Our study provides the first description of transmission of TBEV through transplantation of solid organs. Methods: Three patients who received solid organ transplants from a single donor (2 received kidney, and 1 received liver) developed encephalitis 17-49 days after transplantation and subsequently died. Blood and autopsy tissue samples were tested by next-generation sequencing (NGS) and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: All 3 recipients were first analyzed in autopsy brain tissue samples and/or cerebrospinal fluid by NGS, which yielded 24-52 million sequences per sample and 9-988 matched TBEV sequences in each patient. The presence of TBEV was confirmed by RT-PCR in all recipients and in the donor, and direct sequencing of amplification products corroborated the presence of the same viral strain. Conclusions: We demonstrated transmission of TBEV by transplantation of solid organs. In such a setting, TBEV infection may be fatal, probably due to pharmacological immunosuppression. Organ donors should be screened for TBEV when coming from or visiting endemic areas.

[The post of transplant coordinator in Polish law regulations]. / Stanowisko koordynatora transplantacyjnego w polskich aktach prawnych.

The aim of this report is to present the review of Polish legislative acts concerning the post of Transplant Coordinator. The coordination of organs retrieval and transplantation is specified in the Ministry of Health Regulation 2007 as an postgraduate accomplishment in the field of medicine. Furthermore, the requirements regarding basic education, adequate length of work and experience in the field of organs, tissues and cells retrieval and transplantation for transplant coordinator and senior transplant coordinator as well as continuous education and salary are specified by law. Transplant centres are present in 11/16 Polish regions. Official duties of the regional transplant coordinators are performed in Poland by 15 professionals. They are employed mostly in kidney transplantation centres (60%) and additionally as a part-time workers (86%) in Polish Transplant Coordinating Centre "Poltransplant'. Nevertheless, the key role is played by local transplant coordinators employed in donor hospitals. They are responsible for donors detection and organs procurement coordination in cooperation with regional transplant coordinator.