title: The epidemiology of parainfluenza virus infection in lung transplant recipients.
abstract: Human parainfluenza virus (HPIV) is a common cause of seasonal respiratory tract infections. However, little is known about the clinical presentation and impact of HPIV infections in lung transplant recipients. We reviewed HPIV infections at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. From January 1990 through May 2000, 32 cases of HPIV infection were identified. HPIV infection was found in 24 lung transplant recipients (75%), all of whom were included in the study group. Diagnosis was established at a median of 2.1 years after transplantation (range, 0.6-5 years). Presenting symptoms included cough (17 patients), shortness of breath (16), and temperature elevation (4). Respiratory failure occurred in 5 patients (21%). The HPIV serotypes were HPIV-1 (7 patients), HPIV-2 (2), and HPIV-3 (15 [63%]). Twenty-two patients underwent transbronchial biopsy, and 18 (82%) showed signs of acute allograft rejection. Seven patients (32%) subsequently were found to have bronchiolitis obliterans.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Vilchez
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: McCurry
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dauber
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Iacono
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Keenan
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zeevi
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Griffith
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kusne
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D016040:Lung Transplantation; D018184:Paramyxoviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010414:Pennsylvania / Q000453:epidemiology; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000821:virology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous / Q000009:adverse effects