Reoperative lung transplantation for donor-derived pulmonary mucormycosis

Epidemiology, Clinical Manifestations, and Outcome of Mucormycosis in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: A Systematic Review of Reported Cases

Mucormycosis is an emerging disease primarily affecting the immunocompromised host, but scarce evidence is available for solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs). We systematically reviewed 183 cases occurring in SOTRs, exploring epidemiology, clinical characteristics, causative pathogens, therapeutic approaches, and outcomes. Kidney transplants accounted for half of the cases, followed by heart (18.6%), liver (16.9%), and lung (10.4%). Diagnosis showed a dichotomous distribution, with 63.7% of cases reported within 100 days of transplantation and 20.6% occurring at least 1 year after transplant. The 90-day and 1-year mortality rates were 36.3% and 63.4%, respectively. Disseminated disease had the highest mortality at both time points (75% and 93%). Treatment with >3 immunosuppressive drugs showed a significant impact on 90-day mortality (odds ratio [OR], 2.33; 95% CI, 1.02-5.66; P = .0493), as did a disseminated disease manifestation (OR, 8.23; 95% CI, 2.20-36.71; P = .0027) and the presence of diabetes (OR, 2.35; 95% CI, 1.01-5.65; P = .0497). Notably, prophylaxis was administered to 12 cases with amphotericin B. Further investigations are needed to validate these findings and to evaluate the potential implementation of prophylactic regimens in SOTRs at high risk.

Oral Isavuconazole Combined with Nebulized Inhalation and Bronchoscopic Administration of Amphotericin B for the Treatment of Pulmonary Mucormycosis: A Case Report and Literature Review

Pulmonary mucormycosis (PM) is an invasive and potentially fatal fungal infection, with Rhizopus microsporus (R. microsporus) being the most common pathogen. The routine therapy for this infection includes surgery and antifungal agents. However, the therapeutic effects of single agents are unsatisfactory due to the rapid progression of mucormycosis, while not all patients can tolerate surgery. Innovative treatment methods like combination therapy await validations of their clinical efficacy. We report a case of PM that was diagnosed via metagenomics next-generation sequencing (mNGS) of black drainage fluid from the patient's lung. The patient eventually recovered and was discharged after a combination therapy of oral isavuconazole, inhaled amphotericin B, and local perfusion of amphotericin B through bronchoscopy, which may be a promising strategy for the treatment of PM, especially for cases where surgery is not possible. A retrospective study of 297 cases in a literature review highlights the different treatment methods used in clinical practice.

Effects of Multidrug-resistant Bacteria in Donor Lower Respiratory Tract on Early Posttransplant Pneumonia in Lung Transplant Recipients Without Pretransplant Infection

BACKGROUND

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria in the lower respiratory tracts of allografts may be risk factors for early posttransplant pneumonia (PTP) that causes detrimental outcomes in lung transplant recipients (LTRs). We evaluated the effects of immediate changes in MDR bacteria in allografts on early PTP and mortality rates in LTRs.

METHODS

We reviewed 90 adult bilateral LTRs without pretransplant infections who underwent lung transplantation between October 2012 and May 2018. Quantitative cultures were performed with the bronchoalveolar lavage fluids of the allografts preanastomosis and within 3 days posttransplant. The International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation consensus defines early PTP as pneumonia acquired within 30 days posttransplant and not associated with acute rejection.

RESULTS

MDR Acinetobacter baumannii (11/34, 32.4%) and Staphylococcus aureus (9/34, 26.5%) were identified in 24.4% (22/90) of the preanastomosis allografts. Four LTRs had the same MDR bacteria in allografts preanastomosis and posttransplant. Allograft MDR bacteria disappeared in 50% of the LTRs within 3 days posttransplant. Early PTP and all-cause in-hospital mortality rates were not different between LTRs with and without preanastomosis MDR bacteria (P = 0.75 and 0.93, respectively). MDR bacteria ≥10 CFU/mL in the lungs within 3 days posttransplant was associated with early PTP (odds ratio, 5.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-27.0; P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

High levels of preexisting MDR bacteria in allografts did not increase early PTP and mortality rates in LTRs. Despite the small and highly selective study population, lung allografts with MDR bacteria may be safely transplanted with appropriate posttransplant antibiotic therapy.

Mucormycosis in lung transplant recipients: A systematic review of the literature and a case series

BACKGROUND

Mucormycosis is a rare infection in lung transplant recipients (LTR). Our objective was to better define the clinical presentation and optimal management of this frequently lethal infection.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature was performed to identify all published cases of mucormycosis in LTR using PubMed/MEDLINE. These cases were analyzed together with a new case series from our clinic.

RESULTS

Literature search yielded 44 articles matching the inclusion criteria, describing 121 cases. Six additional cases were identified from our clinic. Data regarding infection site and outcome were available for a total of 53 patients. The lungs were the most common site of infection (62%), followed by rhinocerebral and disseminated disease. Most cases (78%) developed in the first post-transplant year, with over 40% of them in the first month. Additional risk factors for mucormycosis were identified in over half of the patients. Surgical debridement was uncommon in pulmonary infection (9%). Posaconazole therapy was used in 35% of cases, mostly in combination with amphotericin B. Overall mortality was 32% but varied according to site of infection.

CONCLUSION

Mucormycosis in LTRs tends to be an early post-surgical infection, associated with additional risk factors and intensified immunosuppressive states, and most often affects the lungs, where surgical debridement is rarely feasible. Posaconazole as first-line therapy should be further explored.

Respiratory Failure due to Possible Donor-Derived Sporothrix schenckii Infection in a Lung Transplant Recipient

Background. De novo and donor-derived invasive fungal infections (IFIs) contribute to morbidity and mortality in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. Reporting of donor-derived IFIs (DDIFIs) to the Organ Procurement Transplant Network has been mandated since 2005. Prior to that time no systematic monitoring of DDIFIs occurred in the United States. Case Presentation. We report a case of primary graft dysfunction in a 49-year-old male lung transplant recipient with diffuse patchy bilateral infiltrates likely related to pulmonary Sporothrix schenckii infection. The organism was isolated from a bronchoalveolar lavage on the second day after transplantation. Clinical and radiographic responses occurred after initiation of amphotericin B lipid formulation. Conclusion. We believe that this was likely a donor-derived infection given the early timing of the Sporothrix isolation after transplant in a bilateral single lung transplant recipient. This is the first case report of sporotrichosis in a lung transplant recipient. Our patient responded well to amphotericin induction therapy followed by maintenance therapy with itraconazole. The implications of donor-derived fungal infections and Sporothrix in transplant recipients are reviewed. Early recognition and management of these fungi are essential in improving outcomes.