Risk factors, management, and clinical outcomes of invasive Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma infections after lung transplantation.

Mollicute infections, caused by Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma species, are serious complications after lung transplantation; however, understanding of the epidemiology and outcomes of these infections remains limited. We conducted a single-center retrospective study of 1156 consecutive lung transplants performed from 2010-2019. We used log-binomial regression to identify risk factors for infection and analyzed clinical management and outcomes. In total, 27 (2.3%) recipients developed mollicute infection. Donor characteristics independently associated with recipient infection were age ≤40 years (prevalence rate ratio [PRR] 2.6, 95% CI 1.0-6.9), White race (PRR 3.1, 95% CI 1.1-8.8), and purulent secretions on donor bronchoscopy (PRR 2.3, 95% CI 1.1-5.0). Median time to diagnosis was 16 days posttransplant (IQR: 11-26 days). Mollicute-infected recipients were significantly more likely to require prolonged ventilatory support (66.7% vs 21.4%), undergo dialysis (44.4% vs 6.3%), and remain hospitalized ≥30 days (70.4% vs 27.4%) after transplant. One-year posttransplant mortality in mollicute-infected recipients was 12/27 (44%), compared to 148/1129 (13%) in those without infection (P <.0001). Hyperammonemia syndrome occurred in 5/27 (19%) mollicute-infected recipients, of whom 3 (60%) died within 10 weeks posttransplant. This study highlights the morbidity and mortality associated with mollicute infection after lung transplantation and the need for better screening and management protocols.

Fatal Disseminated Aspergillosis in a Patient with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are at increased risk for infection including opportunistic infections. Fungal infection in particular can be difficult to diagnose and treat and often can be life-threatening in the immunocompromised patient. We present a case in which a patient with SLE presented to the hospital with shortness of breath and cough. Throughout the hospital course, the patient's condition continued to decline leading to acute respiratory failure, and eventually, the patient expired. Postmortem autopsy revealed invasive fungal aspergillosis infection involving the heart, lungs, and brain. Earlier diagnosis and treatment with empiric antifungals may improve survival in these patients.

Late-onset Fanconi anemia in an African-Caribbean patient.

A 38-year-old female of African-Caribbean origin presented with symptomatic anemia and was found to have hypoplastic thumbs and patchy hypopigmentation. Peripheral blood examination revealed pancytopenia and the bone marrow biopsy confirmed marrow hypoplasia. Fanconi anemia was later confirmed by flow cytometry and diepoxybutane testing. Treatment was limited to transfusions after development of toxicity with cyclosporine and androgen therapy. She manifested classical features of transfusion-related hemosiderosis and died 12 years after initial presentation.