The role of fiberoptic bronchoscopy evaluating transplant recipients with suspected pulmonary infections: analysis of 168 cases in a multi-organ transplantation center

ULMONARY INFECTIOUS complications are common in patients after solid organ transplantation (SOT) or bone marrow transplantation (BMT) and are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis of infectious complications is extremely important for the outcome of transplant recipients 1‐3 The purpose of this study was to examine the role of fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) in transplant recipients with suspected pulmonary infections. METHODS The study was conducted at the Institute of Pulmonary Medicine. Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus (a tertiary-care university hospital). We retrospectively examined data of patients posttransplantation who required FOB from May 5, 1999 until May 2002. Indications for FOB were suspected pulmonary infection by either abnormal chest X-ray or respiratory symptoms. Lung transplant recipients with surveillance bronchoscopies were excluded from the study. Patients underwent bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL); specimens were analyzed as bacteriology, virology, fungal, and mycobacterial cultures. In 65% of cases, transbronchial biopsies (TBBs) were done; specimens were sent to pathological examination as well as silver and cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific stains.