Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection was considered a contraindication for solid organ transplantation (SOT) in the past. However, HIV management has improved since highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) became available in 1996, and the long-term survival of patients living with HIV has led many transplant programs to reevaluate their policies regarding the exclusion of patients with HIV infection. Based on the available data in the medical literature and the cumulative experience of transplantation in HIV-positive patients at our hospital, the aim of the present article is to outline the criteria for transplantation in HIV-positive patients as recommended by the Immunocompromised Host Committee of the Hospital das Clínicas of the University of São Paulo.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-related post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) is one of the most serious complications associated with solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. PTLD is most frequently seen with primary EBV infection post-transplant, a common scenario for pediatric solid organ recipients. Risk factors for infection or reactivation of EBV following solid organ transplant are stronger immunosuppressive therapy regimens, and being seronegative for receptor. For hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, the risk factors relate to the type of transplant, human leukocyte antigen disparity, the use of stronger immunosuppressants, T-cell depletion, and severe graft-versus-host disease. Mortality is high, and most frequent in patients who develop PTLD in the first six months post-transplant. The primary goal of this article is to provide an overview of the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, accepted therapies, and management of EBV infection in transplant recipients, and to suggest that the adoption of monitoring protocols could contribute to a reduction in related complications.

Nove casos de tuberculose (TBC) foram diagnosticados entre 800 pacientes urêmicos acompanhados durante um período de 11 anos. Isto constituiu uma prevalência de 1,125%, 2,5 vezes maior que aquela da população geral. Seis pacientes (66,7%) tiveram comprometimento dos linfonodos (4 cervicais e 2 mediastinais). Três pacientes (33,3%) tiveram acometimento pulmonar (2, pleuro-pulmonar e 1, apical). Oito pacientes estavam em diálise e 1 estava na fase pré-dialítica. A duração do tratamento dialítico variou de 1 a 60 meses. Três pacientes receberam imunossupressão previamente por transplante renal mal sucedido. Febre diária esteve presente em todos pacientes, menos em um que era assintomático e cuja TBC foi suspeitada após uma radiografia de tórax rotineira anormal. Biópsia foi o procedimento diagnóstico em 7 pacientes (77,8%). Quatro foram biópsias diretas de linfonodos cervicais, 2 de linfonodos mediastinais realizadas através de mediastinos-copia e uma da pleura. Em 2 outros pacientes a TBC foi confirmada pela presença do bacilo da tuberculose; em 1 caso no escarro e em outro no lavado brônquico. Esquema tríplice foi empregado em todos os casos (isoniazida e etam-butol em todos mais rifampicína em 8 e estreptomicina em 1). Um paciente teve icterícia e outro neurite óptica. Cinco pacientes se curaram. Os outros 4 faleceram durante o tratamento por causas não relacionadas à TBC ou seu tratamento.

Nine cases of tuberculosis (TB) were diagnosed among 800 uremic patients, followed-up during 11 years, a prevalence of 1125%, 2.5 times higher than that in the general population. Six patients (66.7%) had lymph node involvement (4 cervical and 2 mediastinal). Three patients (33.3%) had pulmonary involvement (2 pleuro-pulmonary and 1 bilateral apical pulmonary). Eight patients were undergoing dialysis and 1 was pre-dialytic. The duration of dialysis ranged from 1 to 60 months. Three patients had previously received immunosuppressive drugs for unsuccessful renal transplantation. Daily fever was present in all but one patient; he was asymptomatic and TB was suspected after routine chest radiography. Biopsy was the diagnostic procedure in 7 patients (77.8%), four by direct cervical lymph node biopsy, 2 by mediastinal, performed by mediastinoscopy and 1 by pleural biopsy. In 2 other patients TB was confirmed by the presence of tubercle bacilli; in sputum (1 patient) and in a bronchial flushing specimen (the other patient). Triple therapy was used in all patients (isoniazid and ethambutol in all), plus rifampicin in 8 and streptomycin in 1. One patient had jaundice and another had optical neuritis. Five patients were cured. The other four died during treatment of causes unrelated to TB or its treatment.