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Donors' health linked to infection risk in corneal transplants

Infection Control Monitor, February 15, 2008

Corneal grafts obtained from hospitalized donors may carry a greater risk of infection to transplant recipients, according to a report in the February issue of Archives of Ophthalmology.

The infection, called endophthalmitis, is an uncommon but serious complication of corneal transplant surgery and can result in loss of vision or blindness in the affected eye, the study's authors said.

The odds of infected recipients having received a cornea from a hospitalized donor were three times that of non-infected recipients, the study showed. In addition, death of the donor from cancer was considerably more likely among recipients who developed infections. While the cause is unclear, the authors noted that donors could acquire harmful microorganisms in the hospital and transmit them to recipients.

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