Protective Effects of BNT162b2 Vaccination on Aerobic Capacity Following Mild to Moderate SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Cross-Sectional Study Israel.

Patients previously infected with acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) may experience post-acute adverse health outcomes, known as long COVID. The most reported symptoms are fatigue, headache and attention/concentration issues, dyspnea and myalgia. In addition, reduced aerobic capacity has been demonstrated in both mild and moderate COVID-19 patients.

[BRONCHIECTASIS--REVIEW OF LITERATURE AND CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF BRONCHIECTASIS PATIENTS TREATED IN THE BRONCHIECTASIS CLINIC AT THE CARMEL MEDICAL CENTER].

Aims: Bronchiectasis is a suppurative lung disease characterized by wide and distorted bronchi, with daily cough and sputum production punctuated by infectious exacerbations. Etiologies are diverse, and treatment is multidisciplinary, consisting of lung hygiene with mucolytic agents and physiotherapy, anti-inflammatory agents and antimicrobial agents, as needed. This study aims to review the literature and describe the clinical and radiological characteristics of patients with bronchiectasis treated at the Bronchiectasis clinic at Carmel Medical Center.

Asymptomatic carriage of Pneumocystis jirovecii and cytomegalovirus in lungs of immunocompetent patients.

Purpose: Pneumocystis jirovecii (PCP) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) are opportunistic pathogens which cause lung infection in immunocompromised individuals. However, scarce data are available regarding the carriage of CMV or PCP in immunocompetent, non critically ill patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of PCP and CMV in broncholaveolar lavage of adult immunocompetent, non critically ill patients.

Multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae acquisition in lung transplant recipients.

Background: Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) is a pathogen that emerged in the late twentieth century and was associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We report for the first time the outcomes of lung transplant recipients infected with CRKP or extended spectrum-β lactamases K. pneumoniae (ESBL-KP).

Artificial stone silicosis [corrected]: disease resurgence among artificial stone workers.

Background: Silicosis is a progressive, fibrotic, occupational lung disease resulting from inhalation of respirable crystalline silica. This disease is preventable through appropriate workplace practices. We systematically assessed an outbreak of silicosis among patients referred to our center for lung transplant.

Lung cancer in lung transplant recipients: experience of a tertiary hospital and literature review.

Background: Lung transplantation is a viable therapy for patients with end-stage lung disease and is being increasingly performed worldwide. The incidence of lung cancer after lung transplantation has increased concomitantly, although data are still sparse.

Methods: The computerized medical records of the Pulmonary Institute of a tertiary care medical center were searched for patients who underwent lung transplantation from 1997 to 2009 and acquired lung cancer postoperatively.

The lung in rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common inflammatory disease, affecting about 1% of the population. Although a major portion of the disease burden including excess mortality is due to its extra-articular manifestations, the prevalence of RA-associated lung disease is increasing. RA can affect the lung parenchyma, airways, and the pleura; and pulmonary complications are directly responsible for 10 to 20% of all mortality.

Voriconazole and itraconazole in lung transplant recipients receiving tacrolimus (FK 506): efficacy and drug interaction.

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the extent of interaction between tacrolimus and itraconazole vs. voriconazole.

Patients And Methods: This retrospective study included 60 lung transplant recipients who were treated with a tacrolimus-based regimen; 40 received prophylactic itraconazole for the first six months following lung transplantation (LTX), and 20 were treated with voriconazole.

Therapeutic effectiveness of rituximab in a patient with unresponsive autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare lung disease characterised by the accumulation of lung surfactant in the alveoli. In most cases it is an autoimmune disease with antibodies directed against the growth factor granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Standard of care consists of whole lung lavages in symptomatic patients.

Long-term follow-up of flexible bronchoscopic treatment for bronchial carcinoids with curative intent.

Background. Typical pulmonary carcinoids represent less than 5% of primary lung tumors. In patients with typical bronchial carcinoid, formal surgical resection still remains the gold-standard treatment.

Bronchoscopic balloon dilatation of tracheobronchial stenosis: long-term follow-up.

Objectives: Bronchoscopic balloon dilatation (BBD) has become a valuable tool in the treatment of tracheobronchial stenosis (TBS). The objective of this study was to assess the short- and long-term effects of BBD.

Methods: A retrospective study that included all patients with confirmed, symptomatic stenosis, who underwent BBD between 2002 and 2008.

Long-term pulmonary function after recovery from pulmonary contusion due to blunt chest trauma.

Background: Blunt chest trauma can cause severe acute pulmonary dysfunction due to hemo/pneumothorax, rib fractures and lung contusion.

Objectives: To study the long-term effects on lung function tests after patients' recovery from severe chest trauma.

Methods: We investigated the outcome and lung function tests in 13 patients with severe blunt chest trauma and lung contusion.

Postcoital hemoptysis: our experience and review of the literature.

Hemoptysis after physical activity is a well-known phenomenon. Hemoptysis following sexual intercourse is rarely reported. We describe three patients with hemoptysis occurring only after sexual activity and not following other types of physical effort.

Peripheral arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction in idiopathic and scleroderma associated pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Objective: Pulmonary endothelial dysfunction and increased reflection of pulmonary pressure waves have been reported in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). However, the systemic vascular involvement is not fully understood. Our study focused on the systemic arterial stiffness and endothelial involvement in idiopathic and scleroderma associated PAH.

The 15-step oximetry test: a reliable tool to identify candidates for lung transplantation among patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a relentlessly progressive disease with a median survival of approximately 3 years. Measurements of lung volumes and diffusion capacity at rest are generally used to monitor the clinical course of IPF. Due to its high mortality, identification of patients at high risk is crucial for treatment strategies such as lung transplantation.

Lung transplantation in patients with scleroderma: case series, review of the literature, and criteria for transplantation.

Background: The use of lung transplantation (LTX) to treat respiratory failure because of scleroderma is controversial. We present our experience, review the current literature, and suggest specific criteria for LTX in scleroderma. Of the 174 patients who underwent LTX at our center, seven (4%) had scleroderma-associated respiratory failure.

Herpes zoster after lung transplantation: incidence, timing, and outcome.

Background: Although herpes zoster is a common complication of lung transplantation, the epidemiologic data are limited. The aims of the present study were to determine the incidence and clinical manifestations of herpes zoster in a large cohort of lung transplant recipients and to identify risk factors associated with its development.

Methods: The files of all adult patients who underwent lung transplantation at a major tertiary medical center from January 2001 to December 2007 were reviewed.

The role of routine bronchoscopy for early detection of bronchial stump recurrence of lung cancer: 1 year post-surgery.

Background: Local recurrence after complete resection (R(0)) occur in approximately 20% of patients with stage I disease and in up to 50% with stage III. This study focuses on early detection of stump recurrence by a routine bronchoscopy.

Methods: Prospective analysis 1 year after surgery between April 2006 and April 2008.

The use of surfactant in lung transplantation.

Background: Lung transplantation impairs surfactant activity, which may contribute to primary graft dysfunction (PGD). Prompted by studies in animals and a few reports in humans, this study sought to determine if the administration of surfactant during transplantation serves as an effective preventive measure.

Methods: An open, randomized, controlled prospective design was used.

Surfactant as salvage therapy in life threatening primary graft dysfunction in lung transplantation.

Objective: Impaired surfactant activity may contribute to primary graft dysfunction after lung transplantation. We assessed the role of surfactant treatment in lung transplant recipients with severe life threatening primary lung graft dysfunction.

Patients And Methods: Five patients after lung transplantation: 4 after single-lung transplantation, for emphysema (n=3) or idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (n=1), and 1 patient after double-lung transplantation for cystic fibrosis.

Diagnostic value of complement components in pleural fluid: report of 135 cases.

We prospectively assessed the diagnostic value of pleural fluid complement levels (total, C3, C4) in 135 patients with pleural effusion of five main etiologies, using novel markers. Complement levels correlated with pleural levels of protein, amylase, and transuded fluids. On univariate analysis, CHF-related pleural effusions were associated with significantly lower C4 levels than postsurgery or parapneumonic effusions.

Use of Amplatzer device for endobronchial closure of bronchopleural fistulas.

Bronchopulmonary fistula (BPF) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. It occurs as an uncommon but often severe complication of pneumonectomy. BPF may be treated by a range of surgical and medical techniques, including chest drain, Eloesser muscle flap, omental flap, transsternal bronchial closure, thoracoplasty, and prolonged therapy with antibiotic regimens.

Protective effect of immunosuppression on granulation tissue formation in metallic airway stents.

Objectives/hypothesis: The use of self-expanding metallic airway stents has been extended in recent years in inoperable patients with malignant and benign airway diseases. The risk of granulation tissue formation in the stent is a major concern. The objective of the present study was to determine whether immunosuppression modulates granulation tissue formation in airway stents, as seen in coronary stents.

Risk factors for death while awaiting lung transplantation in Israeli patients: 1997-2006.

Objective: Patients with end-stage lung disease very frequently die while awaiting lung transplantation. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with mortality in patients referred for lung transplant assessment.

Methods: The files of all consecutive patients listed for lung transplantation in Israel between 1997 and 2006 were reviewed and the data were compared statistically between those who survived to transplantation.

Use of the 15-steps climbing exercise oximetry test in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is often associated with exercise-induced hypoxemia. Although maximal oxygen consumption (VO2(max)) is considered the gold-standard index of functional capacity in IPF, its measurement requires sophisticated equipment and trained personnel. The aim of the present study was to investigate the value of the simple 15-steps climbing exercise oximetry test in patients with IPF.