Low agreement and frequent invalid controls in two SARS-CoV-2 T-cell assays in people with compromised immune function.

T-cell response plays an important role in SARS-CoV-2 immunogenicity. For people living with HIV (PWH) and solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients there is limited evidence on the reliability of commercially available T-cell tests. We assessed 173 blood samples from 81 participants (62 samples from 35 PWH; 111 samples from 46 SOT recipients [lung and kidney]) with two commercial SARS-CoV-2 Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) release assays (IGRA; SARS-CoV-2 IGRA by Euroimmun, and IGRA SARS-CoV-2 by Roche).

Severe Abdominal Complications in Lung Transplant Recipients.

Objectives: Lung transplant is a complex procedure with potential for substantial postoperative complications, including abdominal issues. Although previous studies have suggested that preexisting gastrointestinal conditions may be associated with a high risk of posttransplant complications, the evidence remains inconsistent. We aimed to explore the incidence rates, risk factors, and outcomes of abdominal complications within the first year following lung transplant.

Combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema and lung transplantation: current evidence and future directions.

Background: Combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) patients generally have a poorer prognosis compared to those with either pulmonary fibrosis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)/emphysema alone, as demonstrated by several studies. Our study aimed to identify undiagnosed CPFE cases within a lung transplantation cohort initially diagnosed with interstitial lung fibrosis or COPD/emphysema. It was hypothesized that the patient cohort might contain overlooked CPFE cases, and CPFE patients would exhibit a higher incidence of pre-transplant pulmonary hypertension and post-transplant chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD).

Orthostatic Hypotension and Antihypertensive Treatment in Lung Transplant Recipients: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Objectives: Lung transplant is the ultimate treatment of many end-stage lung diseases. Calcineurin inhibitors, crucial in immunosuppression for lung transplant recipients, are linked to secondary hypertension, necessitating antihypertensive treatment. In addition, lung transplant recipients frequently experience orthostatic hypotension, occasionally stemming from autonomic dysfunction, but also commonly attributed as a negative side effect of antihypertensive treatment.

mTOR inhibitors after lung transplantation: a real-life experience.

Background: The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors in combination with calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs), antimetabolites and corticosteroids for immunosuppression after lung transplantation (TPL) have gained importance in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The goal of this study was to characterize lung transplant recipients (LTR) treated with mTOR inhibitors, with a special focus on kidney function.

Methods: LTR transplanted at the University Hospital Zurich between December 1992 and April 2022 were analyzed.

Antibody and T-Cell Response to Bivalent Booster SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines in People With Compromised Immune Function: COVERALL-3 Study.

Background: Bivalent messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines, designed to combat emerging severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants, incorporate ancestral strains and a new variant. Our study assessed the immune response in previously vaccinated individuals of the Swiss HIV Cohort Study (SHCS) and the Swiss Transplant Cohort Study (STCS) following bivalent mRNA vaccination.

Methods: Eligible SHCS and STCS participants received approved bivalent mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccines (mRNA-1273.

Direct Oral Anticoagulation in Lung Transplant Recipients.

Objectives: Presently, the management of direct oral anticoagulants lacks specific guidelines for patients before and after transplant, particularly for lung transplant recipients. We aimed to consolidate the existing literature on direct oral anticoagulants and explore their implications in lung transplant recipients.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search in PubMed and Google Scholar databases for studies published between January 2000 and December 2022, using specific search terms.

Impact of SARS-CoV-2-Related Hygiene Measures on Community-Acquired Respiratory Virus Infections in Lung Transplant Recipients in Switzerland.

: Community-acquired respiratory virus (CARV) infections pose a serious risk for lung transplant recipients (LTR) as they are prone to severe complications. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit Switzerland in 2020, the government implemented hygiene measures for the general population. We investigated the impact of these measures on the transmission of CARV in lung transplant recipients in Switzerland.

Multimodal Remote Home Monitoring of Lung Transplant Recipients during COVID-19 Vaccinations: Usability Pilot Study of the COVIDA Desk Incorporating Wearable Devices.

: Remote patient monitoring (RPM) of vital signs and symptoms for lung transplant recipients (LTRs) has become increasingly relevant in many situations. Nevertheless, RPM research integrating multisensory home monitoring in LTRs is scarce. We developed a novel multisensory home monitoring device and tested it in the context of COVID-19 vaccinations.

Adaptive Immunosuppression in Lung Transplant Recipients Applying Complementary Biomarkers: The Zurich Protocol.

Achieving adequate immunosuppression for lung transplant recipients in the first year after lung transplantation is a key challenge. Prophylaxis of allograft rejection must be balanced with the adverse events associated with immunosuppressive drugs, for example infection, renal failure, and diabetes. A triple immunosuppressive combination is standard, including a steroid, a calcineurin inhibitor, and an antiproliferative compound beginning with the highest levels of immunosuppression and a subsequent tapering of the dose, usually guided by therapeutic drug monitoring and considering clinical results, bronchoscopy sampling results, and additional biomarkers such as serum viral replication or donor-specific antibodies.

Improved glucose tolerance after initiation of Elexacaftor / Tezacaftor / Ivacaftor in adults with cystic fibrosis.

Background: The novel triple CFTR modulator therapy Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor (ELX/TEZ/IVA) improves lung function, body mass index (BMI), sinus clearance, and quality of life in patients with cystic fibrosis. Whether treatment with ELX/TEZ/IVA is associated with improved glucose tolerance is unknown.

Methods: This cohort study included adults with CF and at least one copy of F508del.

Influence of mycophenolate mofetil dosage and plasma levels on the occurrence of chronic lung allograft dysfunction in lung transplants: a retrospective cohort analysis.

Introduction: Development of chronic lung allograft dysfunction is a limiting factor for post-lung transplant survival. We evaluated whether the dose of the immunosuppressant mycophenolate mofetil or plasma concentrations of the active metabolite mycophenolic acid affect the development of chronic lung allograft dysfunction.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study we recruited 71 patients with a lung transplant between 2010 and 2014 which survived the first year after transplantation up to 1 July 2021.

Transbronchial Cryobiopsy Compared to Forceps Biopsy for Diagnosis of Acute Cellular Rejection in Lung Transplants: Analysis of 63 Consecutive Procedures.

Background: Acute cellular rejection (ACR) is a complication after lung transplantation (LTx). The diagnosis of ACR is based on histologic findings using transbronchial forceps biopsy (FB). However, its diagnostic accuracy is limited because of the small biopsy size and crush artifacts.

COVID-19-related end stage lung disease: two distinct phenotypes.

In COVID-19 related end stage lung disease, there are two distinct phenotypes. The first phenotype is the COVID-19 related acute respiratory distress syndrome (CARDS) showing a classical histopathological pattern of fibrotic diffuse alveolar damage (DAD). The second phenotype is the post-COVID pulmonary fibrosis (PCPF), in which the diagnosis is based on the combined clinical, radiological and (if available) pathological information.

Combined Pulmonary Fibrosis and Emphysema (CPFE) Clinical Features and Management.

Background: Combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) is an underrecognized syndrome characterized by chronic, progressive disease with a dismal prognosis. Frequent co-morbidities with a higher incidence than in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis or emphysema alone are pulmonary hypertension (WHO group 3) in 47-90% of the patients and lung cancer in 46.8% of the patients.

[Vaping-Associated Pulmonary Illness].

Vaping-Associated Pulmonary Illness Electronic cigarettes are hand-held devices used to vaporize liquids by heating and thus allowing inhalation of aerosols. Recently, cases of patients have been published which presented with a syndrome associated with e-cigarette consumption, also known as vaping. The syndrome designated 'vaping-associated pulmonary illness' (VAPI) features either isolated respiratory, or combined respiratory gastro-intestinal or constitutional symptoms.