Donor tissue can harbor diverse germs

Many viruses, bacteria and other germs have spread to people through transplants of tissue from cadavers or organs from live donors. It’s not known whether cancer can be spread through this process. Here is a look at cases reported over the years:

Fungus – More than 500 heart valve transplants each year are believed to be contaminated with fungus, leading to an estimated 207 deaths a year.

Hepatitis C – Cases in 1992, 1995 and 2002. More than 40 people received contaminated organs or tissue after an Oregon tissue bank failed to detect the virus in a single donor in the 2002 outbreak. One likely died as a result.

Hepatitis B – 1954. One tissue transplant.

HIV – 1983 and 1992. Four tissue transplants.

Clostridium, “flesh-eating,” and other types of bacteria – November 2001. A Minnesota man’s death led to discovery of more than 60 other bacteria-contaminated transplants in 20 states, including some tissues infected with multiple types of bacteria.

Cytomegalovirus, or CMV – Cases have occurred involving donated skin.

West Nile virus – August 2002. Several organ recipients developed fever and altered mental status from virus-contaminated transplants.

Rabies – 2004. Three organ and one tissue recipient die after contaminated transplants.

Chagas disease – April 2001. Three people caught this parasite, common in Latin America, from organ transplants from a common donor.

LCMV, a rodent virus – May 2005. Three people died after receiving contaminated organs. Others received tissue from the same donor. Three others died in December 2003 after receiving organs infected with LCMV.

Tuberculosis – 1953. One tissue transplant.

Sources: Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, various science journals.