Tuberculosis in Pediatric Solid Organ and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Recipients

Abstract

Children undergoing solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation are at high risk of morbidity and mortality from tuberculosis (TB) disease in the post-transplant period. Treatment of TB infection and disease in the post-transplant setting is complicated by immunosuppression and drug interactions. There are limited data that address the unique challenges for the management of TB in the pediatric transplant population. This review presents the current understanding of the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, management, and prevention for pediatric transplant recipients with TB infection and disease. Further studies are needed to improve diagnosis of TB and optimize treatment outcomes for these patients.

Infectious disease in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

“…In such places, tuberculosis is predominantly because of the reactivation of latent infection. 16 In the United States, studies have shown the incidence of mycobacterial infections in HSCT recipients to be anywhere from 0.0014% to 3%. 17…”