Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis in a lung transplant recipient treated with mepolizumab.

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a complex hypersensitivity reaction to Aspergillus spp. ABPA diagnosis may be challenging due to its non-specific presentation. Standard ABPA treatment consists of systemic corticosteroids and antifungal agents. Mepolizumab, a monoclonal antibody against interleukin-5 seems to be a promising treatment for ABPA. Data about ABPA following lung transplantation (LuTx) are scarce. LuTx recipients are at higher risk for adverse effects of ABPA treatment compared to the general population. Here we present a case of a LuTx recipient who was successfully treated with mepolizumab for ABPA following LuTx. Prolonged administration of high dose prednisone was thus avoided. To our knowledge, this is the first case describing mepolizumab administration following LuTx. Mepolizumab seems particularly attractive as a corticosteroid-sparing agent or as an alternative option to antifungal treatments, because of its excellent safety profile and low risk of drug interactions.

Antifungal drug penetration in soft tissue abscesses: a comparative analysis.

BACKGROUND: Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) are severe and difficult-to-treat infections affecting immunocompromised patients. Antifungal drug penetration at the site of infection is critical for outcome and may be difficult to achieve. Data about antifungal drug distribution in infected human tissues under real circumstances of IFI are scarce. METHODS: Multiple samples were obtained from soft tissue abscesses of a lung transplant patient with Candida albicans invasive candidiasis who underwent recurrent procedures of drainage, while receiving different consecutive courses of antifungal therapy [itraconazole (ITC), fluconazole, caspofungin]. Antifungal drug concentrations were measured simultaneously at the site of infection (surrounding inflammatory tissue and fluid content of the abscess) and in plasma for calculation of the tissue/plasma ratio (R). The concentration within the infected tissue was interpreted as appropriate if it was equal or superior to the MIC of the causal pathogen. RESULTS: A total of 30 tissue samples were collected for measurements of ITC (n = 12), fluconazole (n = 17) and caspofungin (n = 1). Variable concentrations were observed in the surrounding tissue of the lesions with median R of 2.79 (range 0.51-15.9) for ITC and 0.94 (0.21-1.37) for fluconazole. Concentrations ranges within the fluid content of the abscesses were 0.39-1.83 for ITC, 0.66-1.02 for fluconazole and 0.23 (single value) for caspofungin. The pharmacodynamic target (tissue concentration ≥ MIC) was achieved in all samples for all three antifungal drugs. CONCLUSIONS: This unique dataset of antifungal drug penetration in infected human soft tissue abscesses suggests that ITC, fluconazole and caspofungin could achieve appropriate concentrations in soft tissue abscesses.

[When to consider lung transplantation?] / Quand penser à la transplantation pulmonaire ?

Pulmonary transplantation remains the ultimate therapeutic option for selected patients with an advanced pulmonary disease and terminal respiratory insufficiency when all other therapeutic options have been exhausted. The optimal time-frame to proceed to a first discussion and evaluation about lung transplantation may be difficult to determine. This article describes the pathway of a patient towards lung transplantation and summarizes the criteria, which may help to timely identify eligibility for this therapeutic modality. We will focus mainly on the 2021 update of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) recommendations for the selection of lung transplant candidates.

La transplantation pulmonaire reste l'ultime option thérapeutique pour des patients sélectionnés présentant une maladie pulmonaire avancée au stade d'insuffisance respiratoire terminale, une fois les autres traitements reconnus épuisés. Le moment idéal pour une première discussion et l'évaluation d'une transplantation pulmonaire peut être difficile à identifier. Cet article décrit le parcours d'un patient vers la transplantation pulmonaire et résume les différents facteurs qui permettent d'identifier son éligibilité pour ce traitement. Nous nous focalisons notamment sur les recommandations pour la sélection des receveurs de transplantation pulmonaire mises à jour en 2021 par l'International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT).

[Systemic biomarkers in respiratory tract infections]. / Biomarqueurs systèmiques pour les infections respiratoires.

Respiratory tract infections represent a major cause of morbidity and mortality despite the progress made in their diagnosis and treatment. Since the clinical presentation of a viral or bacterial infection is often similar, the identification of a biomarker that could guide the clinician whether or not to introduce an antibiotic therapy is crucial. C-reactive protein and procalcitonin are the most commonly used biomarkers as a diagnostic tool for respiratory tract infections. New biomarkers show promising results for assessing the severity of infection and identifying patients at risk for complications. However, the use of biomarkers has limitations and the diagnosis of a bacterial infection should not be based solely on the measurement of a biomarker.

Malgré le progrès effectué pour le diagnostic et le traitement des infections respiratoires, ces dernières représentent une cause de morbidité et mortalité importante. La présentation clinique d'une infection virale ou bactérienne étant souvent identique, l'identification d'un biomarqueur qui pourrait aider le clinicien à la décision d'introduire ou pas un traitement antibiotique est cruciale. La protéine C-réactive et la procalcitonine sont les biomarqueurs les plus fréquemment utilisés comme aide au diagnostic. Des nouveaux biomarqueurs montrent des résultats prometteurs pour évaluer la sévérité de l'infection et les patients à risque de complication. Toutefois, l'utilisation des biomarqueurs présente des limitations et le diagnostic d'une infection bactérienne ne doit en aucun cas être basé uniquement sur la mesure d'un biomarqueur.

Successful pregnancy in a cystic fibrosis patient with a severe impairment of lung function receiving Elexacaftor-Tezacaftor-Ivacaftor.

Before the arrival of Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) modulators women with CF and impaired lung function were experiencing a high risk of complications and mortality during and the years after pregnancy. The arrival of the highly efficient CFTR modulator, Elexacaftor-Tezacaftor-Ivacaftor (ETI) resulted in an improvement of lung function, quality of life and fertility. Here we report a case of successful pregnancy and uncomplicated delivery for a CF patient with severely impaired lung function receiving ETI prior to conception.