INFECTIOUS-DISEASE AND TRANSPLANTATION - MESSAGES FOR THE GENERALIST

Today, more patients than ever are receiving organ or bone marrow tran splants and are surviving longer afterward. Because these patients oft en live far from the transplant center, their local primary care physi cians may be called on to evaluate problems as they arise, although al l significant issues should be handled in conjunction with the transpl ant team. This paper reviews the primary care physician's role in the pretransplantation evaluation, and in coordination of long-term care, as well as illustrative cases.