Tıp Fakültesi / Faculty of Medicine

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Author: search.filters.author.Ulubay, GayeSubject: search.filters.subject.Aspergillus fumigatus

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    Long-Term Pulmonary Infections in Heart Transplant Recipients
    (2015) Kupeli, Elif; Ulubay, Gaye; Akkure, Esma Sevil; Eyuboglu, Fusun Oner; Sezgin, Atilla; 0000-0002-5525-8207; 0000-0002-5826-1997; 0000-0003-2478-9985; 25894190; AAR-4338-2020; AAB-5345-2021; AAB-5064-2021
    Objectives: Pulmonary infections are life-threatening complications in heart transplant recipients. Our aim was to evaluate long-term pulmonary infections and the effect of prophylactic antimicrobial strategies on time of occurrence of pulmonary infections in heart transplant recipients. Materials and Methods: Patients who underwent heart transplantation between 2003 and 2013 at Baskent University were reviewed. Demographic information and data about immunosuppression and infectious episodes were collected. Results: In 82 heart transplant recipients (mean age, 33.85 y; 58 male and 24 female), 13 recipients (15.8%) developed pulmonary infections (mean age, 44.3 y; 9 male and 4 female). There were 12 patients who had dilated cardiomyopathy and 1 patient who had myocarditis before heart transplantation; 12 patients received immunosuppressive therapy in single or combination form. Pulmonary infections developed in the first month (1 patient), from first to third month (6 patients), from third to sixth month (1 patient), and > 6 months after transplantation (5 patients). Chest computed tomography showed consolidation (unilateral, 9 patients; bilateral, 4 patients). Multiple nodular consolidations were observed in 2 patients and a cavitary lesion was detected in 1 patient. Bronchoscopy was performed in 6 patients; 3 patients had Aspergillus fumigatus growth in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and 2 patients had Acinetobacter baumannii growth in sputum. Treatment was empiric antibiotics (6 patients), antifungal drugs (5 patients), and both antibiotics and antifungal drugs (2 patients); treatment period was 1-12 months in patients with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Conclusions: Pulmonary infections are the most common cause of mortality in heart transplant recipients. A. fumigatus is the most common opportunistic pathogen. Heart transplant recipients with fever and cough should be evaluated for pulmonary infections, and invasive pulmonary aspergillosis should be suspected if these symptoms occur within the first 3 months. Immediately starting an empiric antibiotic is important in treating pulmonary infections in heart transplant recipients.
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    Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Heart Transplant Recipients
    (2015) Kupeli, Elif; Ulubay, Gaye; Akkurt, Sevil Bayram; Eyulboglu, Fusun Oner; Sezgin, Atilla; 0000-0003-2478-9985; 0000-0002-5826-1997; 0000-0002-5525-8207; 25894189; AAB-5064-2021; AAB-5345-2021; AAR-4338-2020
    Objectives: Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is the most common invasive mycosis in heart transplant recipients. Early clinical recognition of this complication is difficult and laboratory data is not specific. Our aim was to study the characteristics of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis infections in heart transplant recipients. Materials and Methods: Between 2007 and 2013, there were 82 patients who underwent heart transplant at our institution, including 6 patients who were diagnosed with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Medical records of these patients were reviewed for demographic, clinical, and radiographic features, microbiology data, serum galactomannan levels, antifungal treatment, and overall outcomes. Results: The most common species causing the infection was Aspergillus fumigatus. The infection was encountered irrespective of the duration since the transplant. Bronchoalveolar lavage with positive culture for Aspergillus species and/or abnormal serum galactomannan level was suggestive of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Conclusions: In our opinion, empiric antifungal therapy should be commenced as soon as invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is suspected in heart transplant recipients to reduce mortality. Although the duration of antifungal therapy for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is debatable, heart transplant recipients may require long-term therapy to avoid recurrence.