Background. Aspergillosis is one of the most important opportunistic infections after organ transplantation. Early diagnosis and initiation of appropriate antifungal therapy are key factors for better prognosis. Aims. In this study, we report our experience with invasive pulmonary Aspergillus infections in Lung, heart and kidney transplant recipients, in our institution and examine the risk factors associated with this complication and outcome of treatment. Methods. We reviewed the medical records of patients with solid organ transplantation with evidence of Aspergillus infections in National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease in Iran from December 2001 to January 2008 and evaluated patient’s demographics, the time of onset after transplantation, risk factors, radiologic appearance, diagnostic criteria, antifungal therapy and outcome. Results. We found Aspergillosis in eight lung, three kidney and one heart recipients, with a mean age of 40.6 years. Seven cases of Aspergillus tracheobronchitis were diagnosed in lung transplant recipients, all of theme in the first six months after transplantation. All patients responded to antifungal therapy and Bronchoscopic debridement. We found five cases of invasive pulmonary Aspergillosis. Three of these patients survived with response to antifungal treatment. Two patients who died had been treated with combination of Itraconazole and Amphotericin B. All cured patients had been treated with Voriconazole alone or in combination with Caspofungin. Conclusions. It seems that the prognosis of Aspergillosis in solid organ recipients is improving with new treatment regimens particularly if they are used in early stages of infection.
Volume : 6
Issue : 4
Pages : 72
Transplant Research Center, Massih Daneshvari Hospital, Darabad-Niavaran, Tehran, Iran