Recipient contraindications to transplantation Absolute contraindications to transplantation include the following: Clinically active infection, except possibly infection in the recipient if it is confined to the organ being replaced (eg, liver abscesses) Cancer (except hepatocellular carcinoma confined to the liver, non-melanoma skin cancers, and certain neuroendocrine tumors) A positive cross-match identified by lymphocytotoxic testing Relative contraindications include the following: Age > 70 Poor functional or nutritional status (including severe obesity) HIV infection Multiorgan insufficiency Psychologic and social factors also play an important role in success of transplantation.