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World J Clin Infect Dis. Nov 25, 2013; 3(4): 70-78
Published online Nov 25, 2013. doi: 10.5495/wjcid.v3.i4.70
Published online Nov 25, 2013. doi: 10.5495/wjcid.v3.i4.70
Tuberculosis and hematopoietic stem cell transplant: Review of a difficult and often underestimated problem
Guadalupe García-Elorriaga, Hospital for Infectious Disease, “La Raza” National Medical Center, Mexico City 02990, Mexico
Guillermo del Rey-Pineda, Department of Infectious Disease and Intestinal Bacteriology Laboratory, “Federico Gómez” Children’s Hospital, Department of Health, Mexico City 02990, Mexico
Guillermo del Rey-Pineda, Central Blood Bank, “La Raza” National Medical Center, Social Security Mexican Institute, Mexico City 02990, Mexico
Author contributions: Both authors participated equally in this study.
Correspondence to: Guadalupe García-Elorriaga, PhD, Researcher, Hospital for Infectious Disease, “La Raza” National Medical Center, Mexico City 02990, Mexico. gelorriaga@webtelmex.net.mx
Telephone: +52-55-57245900 Fax: +52-55-53530989
Received: June 11, 2013
Revised: August 30, 2013
Accepted: October 16, 2013
Published online: November 25, 2013
Processing time: 168 Days and 21.3 Hours
Revised: August 30, 2013
Accepted: October 16, 2013
Published online: November 25, 2013
Processing time: 168 Days and 21.3 Hours
Core Tip
Core tip: This review highlights the importance of stem cells transplant (SCT) in individuals with cancer and hematological malignancies. However, the risk of acquiring tuberculosis (TB) in this way, has received little attention, especially in developing countries. SCT candidates should be screened for TB with a careful medical history and chart review to ascertain any history of prior TB exposure, since immunocompromised individuals are at higher risk of latent TB progression to active disease. Finally, we mention the importance of the immune response, particularly in allogeneic stem cell transplants, because infection by intracellular microorganisms such as Mycobacterium TB, could be inhibited by the process named cell reprogramming.