Outcome of Influenza Infection Managed With Oseltamivir in Lung Transplant Recipients

Michael G. Ison*, Amita Sharma, Jo Anne O Shepard, John C. Wain, Leo C. Ginns

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

59 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Influenza causes significant morbidity and mortality in lung transplant recipients and likely predisposes to obliterative bronchiolitis. Neuraminidase inhibitors shorten the duration of symptoms and virus shedding and the number of antibiotic-requiring complications in ambulatory immunocompetent patients, although the efficacy of these agents in lung transplant recipients has not been assessed previously. Methods: In this study, 9 lung transplant patients who were treated with oseltamivir for influenza infections were identified and analyzed retrospectively. Results: Oseltamivir was well tolerated. Infection resolved in all patients and there were no deaths. Two patients developed pneumonia shortly after their influenza infection and both responded to antibiotic therapy. None of the patients had persistent abnormalities noted on chest imaging and most did not show significant changes on pulmonary function testing. Two patients with the lowest pulmonary function test (PFT) values pre-infection had persistent defects after infection. Conclusions: Oseltamivir is well tolerated in lung transplant recipients and may reduce the risk of complications, although further studies are warranted.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)282-288
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Heart and Lung Transplantation
Volume27
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2008

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Transplantation
  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
  • Surgery

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