Apixaban for Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation and Venous Thromboembolism After Lung Transplantation.

Introduction: Guidelines recommend the use of direct oral anticoagulation therapy over warfarin for the treatment of venous thromboembolism and atrial fibrillation. However, there is uncertainty and a lack of data supporting the safety and efficacy of anticoagulation therapy in lung transplant recipients. Additionally, there are unique considerations for this population, such as labile renal function and drug interactions.

Carfilzomib versus rituximab for treatment of de novo donor-specific antibodies in lung transplant recipients.

Introduction: De novo donor-specific antibodies (DSAs) increase the risk of chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) in lung transplant recipients (LTRs). Both carfilzomib (CFZ) and rituximab (RTX) lower the mean fluorescent intensity (MFI) of DSAs, but comparative data are lacking. We compared CLAD-free survival and the degree and duration of DSA depletion after treatment of LTRs with CFZ or RTX.

Outcomes of nontuberculous mycobacteria isolation among lung transplant recipients: A matched case-control with retrospective cohort study.

Purpose: Lung transplant recipients are at increased risk for acquiring nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), but the clinical significance of NTM isolation, particularly among patients not meeting guideline-endorsed diagnostic criteria for NTM pulmonary disease, is unclear.

Methods: A case-control study of lung transplant recipients culture-positive for NTM at a large transplant center during a 7-year period (2013-2019) was performed.

Results: Twenty-nine cases were matched 1:2 to non-NTM controls.

Universal Lifelong Fungal Prophylaxis and Risk of Coccidioidomycosis in Lung Transplant Recipients Living in an Endemic Area.

Background: Lung transplant recipients residing in the endemic region are vulnerable to severe morbidity and mortality from Coccidioides. As infection risk persists beyond the first posttransplant year, investigations evaluating extended prophylaxis durations are needed. The purpose of this study is to assess the incidence of coccidioidomycosis among lung transplant recipients receiving universal lifelong azole antifungal prophylaxis.

Efficacy of low-dose valganciclovir in CMV R+ lung transplant recipients: a retrospective comparative analysis.

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is extremely common after lung transplant and can be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Current practice suggests the use of 900 mg daily of valganciclovir for CMV prophylaxis, but there is no literature assessing whether 450 mg daily of valganciclovir is sufficient in intermediate CMV risk lung transplant recipients. Therefore, we sought to assess the role of low-dose valganciclovir (LDV) versus high-dose valganciclovir (HDV) prophylaxis in intermediate-risk (R+) recipients.

Nocardia prophylaxis, treatment, and outcomes of infection in lung transplant recipients: A matched case-control study.

Background: Lung transplant recipients are at heightened risk for nocardiosis compared to other solid organ transplant recipients, with incidence rates as high as 9% and up to 30% associated mortality. No controlled studies assessing risk factors for nocardiosis in this high-risk population have been reported.

Methods: Patients undergoing lung transplantation at a single center between 2012 and 2018 and diagnosed with nocardiosis post-transplant were matched 1:2 to uninfected control subjects on the basis of age, transplant date, and sex.

Emergence of letermovir resistance in a lung transplant recipient with ganciclovir-resistant cytomegalovirus infection.

Following a year of valganciclovir prophylaxis, a lung transplant recipient developed cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection that became resistant to ganciclovir, as confirmed by detection of UL97 kinase mutation M460V and a previously uncharacterized UL54 DNA polymerase mutation L516P. The latter mutation is now shown to confer ganciclovir and cidofovir resistance. As predicted from the viral genotype, foscarnet therapy was effective, but resumption of valganciclovir as secondary prophylaxis resulted in a plasma viral load rebound to 3.