Conclusions
Identifying live donors with potentially transmissible infections should enhance the safety of transplantation, a key objective of the OPTN in mandating testing for WNV, T. cruzi and Strongyloides in this setting. Given that these are uncommon infections in the United States, typically occurring in individuals with specific epidemiologic risk factors, broad testing of all donors throughout the year and in all locales may not be cost-efficient and, in some cases, may unnecessarily eliminate donors or delay transplantation due to false-positive results. In all cases, live donors should also be notified of their positive results. Identifying at-risk donors for targeted testing is critical for efficient utilization of live donors. Banking serum may be a useful tool for confirming donor-derived infection with Strongyloides, T. cruzi and WNV.