Invasive Fungal Infections after Liver Transplantation

Abstract

Invasive fungal infections represent a major challenge in patients who underwent organ transplantation. Overall, the most common fungal infections in these patients are candidiasis, followed by aspergillosis and cryptococcosis, except in lung transplant recipients, where aspergillosis is most common. Several risk factors have been identified, which increase the likelihood of an invasive fungal infection developing after transplantation. Liver transplant recipients constitute a high-risk category for invasive candidiasis and aspergillosis, and therefore targeted prophylaxis is favored in this patient population. Furthermore, a timely implemented therapy is crucial for achieving optimal outcomes in transplanted patients. In this article, we describe the epidemiology, risk factors, prophylaxis, and treatment strategies of the most common fungal infections in organ transplantation, with a focus on liver transplantation.