Results of single-lung transplantation for bilateral pulmonary fibrosis

Article Abstract:

Severe pulmonary fibrosis is a condition in which the ordinarily spongy lung tissue is replaced by fibrous connective tissue, leading to almost total loss of lung function. These patients live a highly restricted life and can perform almost no exercise. Transplantation of one lung can result in improvement. Results are presented for 20 patients with severe pulmonary fibrosis who received a transplanted lung. Four patients died soon after surgery and five died during the next months, of complications related to transplant rejection. Nine survived one year or longer. Indexes of several of these patients' respiratory functions improved. These included vital capacity (the amount of air that can be exhaled in one minute), forced expiratory (exhaled) volume in one second, and single-breath diffusing capacity (a measure of the amount of gas that enters the bloodstream when a breath is taken). Exercise capacity increased from stage 1/2 with supplemental oxygen, to at least stage 1 and, in most cases, higher, without supplementation. After transplantation, patients no longer needed supplemental oxygen in daily life. Single-lung transplantation is a procedure that can significantly improve pulmonary function in carefully selected patients. Criteria for selection should include pulmonary disease so severe that death is anticipated within 18 months. This procedure may offer an advantage over heart-lung transplantation in certain cases. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Care and treatment, Lungs, Pulmonary fibrosis, Lung transplantation

---

Transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 from a seronegative organ and tissue donor

Article Abstract:

Patients who receive tissue and organ transplants from donors who test negative for HIV-1 may still be at risk for HIV-1 infection. Donors who test negative for HIV-1 may be infected with the virus, but have not yet developed HIV-1 antibodies. Seven patients who received tissues and organs from a 22-year-old man became infected with HIV-1. The donor tested HIV- negative at the time of death, and did not have any known risk factors for HIV infection. White blood cells (WBC) taken from the donor at the time of death were tested for HIV-1, and his medical history was reviewed. The donor's WBCs were positive for HIV-1. The donor's medical records and interviews with his family and friends did not reveal any high risk factors for HIV infection. Two women who had sex with the donor during the last six months of his life tested HIV-negative. Out of 48 transplant recipients who were located, 41 of the recipients were tested for HIV-1. All four recipients of whole organs and all three recipients of unprocessed bone were HIV-positive, but 34 patients who received other types of tissues were HIV-negative.

HIV infection, HIV infections, Disease transmission

---

The association of Epstein-Barr virus with smooth-muscle tumors occurring after organ transplantation

Article Abstract:

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) may promote the development of smooth-muscle tumors in children whose immune systems are suppressed following organ transplantation. Microscopic analysis and studies of slides of tissue samples of smooth-muscle tumors from three young children revealed unique EBV DNA elements. This finding suggests that the tumors were abnormal outgrowths of a single clone of cells, a characteristic known as neoplasia, and that EBV infection preceded the tumors. The smooth-muscle tumors behaved differently in each of the patients. The first patient did not have symptoms, and the liver tumor did not come back after it was removed. The second patient experienced abdominal pain and several other symptoms, and the third patient's diagnosis was made after an incidental endoscopy examination. Patients 2 and 3 did not respond to antiviral or antineoplastic therapy, and both died. The findings suggest that EBV causes the development of smooth-muscle tumors after transplantation.

Development and progression, Leiomyoma, Epstein-Barr virus, Tumors in children, Pediatric tumors

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Neutrophils and emphysema. High-dose acetylcysteine in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The effect of cigarette smoking on neutrophil kinetics in human lungs
• Abstracts: Multicenter study of a single 500-mg dose of cefotaxime for treatment of uncomplicated gonorrhea. Gonorrhea prevalence in the Maryland state prisons
• Abstracts: Is there still too much extrapolation from data on middle-aged white men? Examples abound of gaps in medical knowledge because of groups excluded from scientific study
• Abstracts: Successful allogeneic transplantation of T cell-depleted bone marrow from closely HLA-matched unrelated donors
• Abstracts: Understanding nicotine addiction and physical withdrawal process. Psychopharmacologic treatment of cigarette smoking

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.