“At Risk” Donors

When you get the call for transplant, you may be offered an organ from a deceased donor that is categorized as “at risk.” This means that the donor engaged in behaviors before their passing that may increase the chance that they had an infection such as HIV or Hepatitis C. This increased risk does not affect how well the organ works. It does mean that an infection could be carried with the organs from the donor.

Before accepting organs from an “at risk” donor, we perform two types of screening for infections. We test for antibodies to HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C, as well as nucleic acid testing for HIV and Hepatitis C. All of these tests must be negative before the donor organs are offered to a recipient. However, even with negative test results, there is a small chance that this donor had an infection that was not detected. Should one of these infections occur, there are therapies available for treatment.

Overall, the risk of getting an infection is extremely small: less than 1%. The decision to accept an organ at risk is completely yours. You will have a chance to discuss the risks and benefits with the transplant team before making a final decision. If you accept the organ, you will be periodically tested for infections during the first year after transplant. If you decide not to accept this type of donor, you will not lose your place on the waiting list.