Managing Viral Respiratory Tract Infections in Lung Transplant Recipients

Lung transplant recipients require life-long profound immunosuppression, making them prone to respiratory tract infections (RTIs), in particular viral infections, during the winter season. Since RTIs may have severe consequences, of which acute or chronic allograft dysfunction is feared most, early diagnosis and treatment are recommended. Patients monitor lung function daily at home and are instructed to contact the transplant center in case of signs and symptoms suspicious of RTIs. We then obtain nasopharyngeal swabs for viral and bacteriological examination and initiate pre-emptive treatment with antivirals, broadband antibiotics, and sometimes intravenous immunoglobulins. Treatment duration is guided by virology sampling results. As preventive measures, we provide vaccination against seasonal influenza for patients and household contacts and recommend specific daily hygiene measures.