Skin Infections due to Bacteria in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: A Review

Abstract

Though there is an abundance of information on cutaneous malignancies in transplant recipients, cutaneous infections in solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) are underrepresented in the dermatological literature. Our paper provides a comprehensive review of bacterial cutaneous infections within the solid organ transplant population. Cutaneous bacterial infections may lead to significant morbidity and even mortality in this immunosuppressed population. Thus, it is to the benefit of both dermatologists and other transplant care providers to better understand and recognize the features of cutaneous bacterial infections in SOTRs. This paper can aid providers in promptly identifying, diagnosing, and treating bacterial skin infections. This review discusses the diagnosis and treatment of the following bacterial species: Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Nocardia, Mycobacteria, and Bartonella henselae.

Keywords: Bartonella henselae; Escherichia coli; Mycobacteria; Nocardia; Pseudomonas; Staphylococcus; Streptococcus; Bacterial skin infections; Organ transplantation.