Malaria in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: Transmission, Diagnosis, Geographic Patterns, and the Role of Cyclosporin

Malaria is one of the most severe parasitic diseases worldwide and presents unique challenges in solid organ transplantation (SOT). Donor-derived malaria, although rare, can cause severe morbidity and mortality due to diagnostic delays and the altered immunity of transplant recipients. This manuscript synthesizes available evidence on transmission routes, diagnostic timing, clinical manifestations, geographic variability, and cyclosporin’s mechanistic antimalarial properties, and integrates recommendations from major transplant associations. The findings highlight that global travel and migration have increased donor-derived malaria risk, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is the most sensitive screening tool, and cyclosporin shows potent in vitro antiplasmodial activity without documented clinical protection. International guidelines consistently emphasize epidemiologic donor screening, risk-based laboratory testing, post-transplant surveillance, and pre-travel prophylaxis.