Timeline of infections in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Abstract

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantations (HSCTs) are being performed in an ever-increasing number of patients in India. Infectious diseases in these patients can alter the prognosis of HSCT patients and pose a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Infectious syndromes and causative organisms depend upon a number of factors such as the baseline hematological illness, type of HSCT, stage of immune restoration, and hospital epidemiology. A better understanding of the timeline of these infections, as per the stage of immune restoration, aids in the timely diagnosis and treatment of infections.