The effect of lung transplantation pulmonary bacterial clearance rates
Turk Otorinolarengoloji Bulteni, vol.3, no.2, pp.179-188, 1978 (Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 3 Issue: 2
- Publication Date: 1978
- Journal Name: Turk Otorinolarengoloji Bulteni
- Journal Indexes: Scopus
- Page Numbers: pp.179-188
- Ankara University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
The high incidence of opportunistic infections in lung allografts contributes significantly to the functional failure of these transplants. Immunosuppressive treatment does indeed suppress intrapulmonary bacterial inactivation. However, the effect of the transplantation procedure itself has not been investigated. A group of mongrel dogs, following left lung reimplantation, was challenged with a constant amount of E. Coli aerosol inoculum. Pulmonary biopsies were obtained bilaterally on the second day in one group, and the second month postoperatively in the other. The contralateral lung and the three dogs served as a control. Bacterial content was expressed as per gram of lung tissue and the rate of bacterial inactivation was calculated as per unit decrease of the initial bacterial load. At the early postoperative period there was a significant reduction in the bactericidal capacity of the transplant lung. Two months after the transplantation, however, both the replants and the intact lungs showed satisfactory bacterial clearance rates. In conclusion, lung transplantation caused marked decrease pulmonary bacterial clearance. This decreased function is reversible and possibly returns to the normal levels within two months.