[Anti-thymocyte Globulin Therapy for Cases of Acute Rejection Following Lung Transplantation]

A 58-year-old male underwent right lung transplantation from a brain-dead donor, after which acute rejection developed that was resistant to steroid pulse therapy. Rabbit-derived anti-thymocyte globulin (rATG) therapy was successful for controlling the rejection. However, following that therapy, the patient was affected by an opportunistic infection and suffered from repeated empyema. It is important to pay attention to immunosuppressive agent levels in blood following treatment, because ATG is a potent immunosuppressive drug and its effects can continue for more than 6 months after administration.