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Donor transfer of pulmonary coccidioidomycosis in lung transplantation

Uttam Tripathy1, Gordon L Yung, Jolene M Kriett

  • 1Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of California, San Diego, USA.

The Annals of Thoracic Surgery
|February 9, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Fungal infections pose a risk to transplant recipients. This case highlights donor-transmitted coccidioidomycosis in a lung transplant recipient, leading to severe pneumonia.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Transplantation Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Transplant recipients in endemic regions face high risks of fungal infections due to immunosuppression and environmental exposure.
  • Reactivation of latent infections, either from the patient or donor organs, is a significant concern.
  • Donor-derived infections can lead to early post-transplant complications.

Observation:

  • A lung transplant recipient developed severe, rapidly progressing pneumonia shortly after surgery.
  • The patient resided in an area endemic for Coccidioides fungal infections.
  • Diagnostic investigations revealed the cause of the pneumonia.

Findings:

  • The lung transplant recipient was diagnosed with pulmonary coccidioidomycosis.
  • Evidence indicated the infection was acquired from the donor lung.
  • This represents a rare instance of donor-to-host transmission of Coccidioides.

Implications:

  • Highlights the critical need for screening donor organs for latent fungal infections in endemic areas.
  • Emphasizes the importance of considering donor-transmitted infections in early post-transplant pulmonary complications.
  • Informs clinical management strategies for fungal infections in immunocompromised transplant patients.

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