Aspergillus After Lung Transplantation: Prophylaxis, Risk Factors, and the Impact on Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction

Background: Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IA) poses significant challenges for lung transplant (LTx) patients, with unclear risk factors and preventive strategies. The effectiveness of nebulized amphotericin B (AmB) or statins for IA prevention and the effect of IA on chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) and mortality remain questionable.

Methods: Data were collected from all LTx patients transplanted between December 1, 2013 and January 1, 2022 at the University Medical Center Groningen. IA, was defined according to published criteria. Prespecified risk factors were compared between patients with and without IA post-LTx and were entered in a logistic regression model. Two additional logistic regression models were built with factors that might be associated with statin or AmB prophylaxis and IA. A matched case-control study was conducted for the association between statins and IA, with matching based on follow-up time.

Results: Aspergillus was cultured in 110 /274 (40%) patients post-LTx and 89/110 (81%) were classified as probable IA. MMF use, airway stenosis, Aspergillus cultured pre-LTx, CLAD, and acute rejection (AR), were significantly associated with IA. Statin use was associated with a lower incidence of IA, while AmB prophylaxis showed no significant effect. A significant statin effect could not be confirmed by the case control analysis. There was no significant difference in all-cause mortality between patients with and without IA (34% vs. 29%).

Conclusions: The high incidence of IA post-LTx necessitates more effective strategies. Key targets for intervention include prior positive cultures, airway stenosis, AR, and the use of MMF. The role of statins remains unclear and requires further research.