Zoonoses represent a problem of rising importance in the
transplant population. A close relationship and changes between
human,
animal and
environmental health ("
One Health" concept) significantly influence the
transmission and distribution of
zoonotic diseases. The aim of this manuscript is to perform a narrative
review of the published
literature on emerging and neglected
zoonoses in the
transplant population. Many
reports on
donor-derived or naturally acquired (re-)emerging arboviral
infections such as
dengue, chikungunya, West Nile,
tick-borne encephalitis and
Zika virus infection have demonstrated atypical or more complicated clinical
course in
immunocompromised hosts.
Hepatitis E virus has emerged as a serious problem after solid
organ transplantation (SOT), leading to diverse extrahepatic manifestations and
chronic hepatitis with unfavorable outcomes. Some neglected pathogens such as
lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus can cause severe
infection with multi-organ failure and high
mortality. In addition,
ehrlichiosis may be more severe with higher case-fatality rates in SOT recipients. Some unusual or severe presentations of borreliosis,
anaplasmosis and
rickettsioses were also reported among
transplant patients. Moreover,
toxoplasmosis as infectious complication is a well-recognized zoonosis in this
population. Although
rabies transmission through SOT
transplantation has rarely been reported, it has become a notable problem in some countries. Since the spreading
trends of
zoonoses are likely to continue, the
awareness, recognition and
treatment of
zoonotic infections among
transplant professionals should be imperative.