Increased mortality after pulmonary fungal infection within the first year after pediatric lung transplantation.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Risk factors, morbidity and mortality from pulmonary fungal infections (PFIs) within the first year after pediatric lung transplant have not previously been characterized.

METHODS:

A retrospective, multicenter study from 1988 to 2005 was conducted with institutional approval from the 12 participating centers in North America and Europe. Data were recorded for the first post-transplant year. The log-rank test assessed for the association between PFI and survival. Associations between time to PFI and risk factors were assessed by Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS:

Of the 555 subjects transplanted, 58 (10.5%) had 62 proven (Candida, Aspergillus or other) or probable (Aspergillus or other) PFIs within the first year post-transplant. The mean age for PFI subjects was 14.0 years vs 11.4 years for non-PFI subjects (p < 0.01). Candida and Aspergillus species were recovered equally for proven disease. Comparing subjects with PFI (n = 58) vs those without (n = 404), pre-transplant colonization was associated with PFI (hazard ratio [HR] 2.0; 95% CI 0.95 to 4.3, p = 0.067). Cytomegalovirus (CMV) mismatch, tacrolimus-based regimen and age >15 years were associated with PFI (p < 0.05). PFI was associated with any prior rejection higher than Grade A2 (HR 2.1; 95% CI 1.2 to 3.6). Cystic fibrosis, induction therapy, transplant era and type of transplant were not associated with PFI. PFI was independently associated with decreased 12-month survival (HR 3.9, 95% CI 2.2 to 6.8).

CONCLUSIONS:

Risk factors for PFI include Grade A2 rejection, repeated acute rejection, CMV-positive donor, tacrolimus-based regimen and pre-transplant colonization.

• Authors: Lara A Danziger-Isakov, Sarah Worley, Susana Arrigain, Paul Aurora, Manfred Ballmann, Debra Boyer, Carol Conrad, Irmgard Eichler, Okan Elidemir, Samuel Goldfarb, George B Mallory Jr, Marian G Michaels, Peter Michelson, Peter J Mogayzel Jr, Daiva Parakininkas, Melinda Solomon, Gary Visner, Stuart Sweet, Albert Faro
• Journal: The Journal of heart and lung transplantation : the official publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation (J Heart Lung Transplant) Vol. 27 Issue 6 Pg. 655-61 (Jun 2008) ISSN: 1557-3117 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 18503966 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Child
• Female
• Humans
• Lung Transplantation (mortality)
• Male
• Mycoses (mortality)
• Pneumonia (microbiology, mortality)
• Retrospective Studies
• Risk Factors
• Time Factors