J Heart Lung Transplant, 1998 Oct;17(10):972-9
Autores:

Brenier-Pinchart, M.P.; Lebeau, B.; Devouassoux, G.; Mondon, P.; Pison, C.; Ambroise-Thomas, P.; Grillot, R.
Parasitologie-Mycologie Médicale et Moléculaire, Laboratoire Relation Hôte-Agents Pathogènes, Faculté de Médecine, Université Joseph Fourier, Grenoble, France

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: After lung transplantation, filamentous fungi and more particularly Aspergillus fumigatus are commonly isolated, although the origin of contamination is unclear.

METHODS: To investigate the fungal flora in bronchoscopic fluids, we retrospectively reviewed 20 cases of lung transplant recipients. Using sequence-specific DNA primers analysis, we typed the clinical strains of A. fumigatus isolated from 6 lung transplant recipients. For 4 of them, the strains of this species were isolated from their environment.

RESULTS: At least once 90% of patients had filamentous fungi, and A. fumigatus was the most frequently isolated. Bronchial colonization was detected in 14 patients, invasive bronchial mycosis was diagnosed in 4 others, and no case of invasive pulmonary fungal infection was detected. Genome typing of the 47 clinical strains revealed that a given patient could be affected by several different strains. A very extensive polymorphism existed among the 38 environmental strains. Origin of contamination at home was possible in 1 case and in the hospital in 3 cases.

CONCLUSIONS: Bronchial colonization is frequent after lung transplantation. Although the clinical strains show a polymorphism, it is less widespread than the polymorphism of environmental strains. The origin of acquisition may be in the patient's
Brenier-Pinchart, M.P. ... [et al.]