Syphilis-specific immunoglobulin G seroconversion after double-lung transplantation.
A female patient with end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease received a double-lung transplant from a donor with serologic evidence of past syphilis. The recipient showed a Treponema pallidum-specific IgG seroconversion 8 days after transplantation with increasing titers at follow-up. In Month 3 post-transplantation the immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody titer decreased. Retrospectively, we argue that the reactive syphilis serology in the recipient was due to a transmission of immunocompetent B cells in the graft rather than a transmission of T pallidum.
Steinmann
Joerg
J
Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany. joerg.steinmann@uk-essen.de
Marggraf
Guenther
G
Buer
Jan
J
Rath
Peter-Michael
PM
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology*; D016040:Lung Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000601:surgery*; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000601:surgery*; D013587:Syphilis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D013588:Syphilis Serodiagnosis
D007074:Immunoglobulin G