Few studies have examined the lung virome in health and disease. Outcomes of lung transplantation are known to be influenced by several recognized respiratory viruses, but global understanding of the virome of the transplanted lung is incomplete. To define the DNA virome within the respiratory tract following lung transplantation we carried out metagenomic analysis of allograft bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), and compared to healthy and HIV+ subjects. Viral concentrates were purified from BAL and analyzed by shotgun DNA sequencing. All of the BAL samples contained reads mapping to anelloviruses, with high proportions in lung transplant samples. Anellovirus populations in transplant recipients were complex, with multiple concurrent variants. Q-PCR quantification revealed that anellovirus sequences were 56-fold more abundant in BAL from lung transplant recipients compared with healthy controls or HIV+ subjects (p<0.0001). Anellovirus sequences were also more abundant in upper respiratory tract specimens from lung transplant recipients than controls (p=0.006). Comparison to metagenomic data on bacterial populations showed that high anellovirus loads correlated with dysbiotic bacterial communities in allograft BAL (p=0.00816). Thus the respiratory tracts of lung transplant recipients contain high levels and complex populations of anelloviruses, warranting studies of anellovirus lung infection and transplant outcome.

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Endobronchial stents are increasingly used to treat airway complications in multiple conditions including lung transplantation but little is known about the biofilms that form on these devices. We applied deep sequencing to profile luminal biofilms of 46 endobronchial stents removed from 20 subjects primarily with lung transplantation-associated airway compromise. Microbial communities were analyzed by bacterial 16S rRNA and fungal ITS marker gene sequencing. Corynebacterium was the most common bacterial taxa across biofilm communities. Clustering analysis revealed three bacterial biofilm types: one low diversity and dominated by Corynebacterium ; another was polymicrobial and characterized by Staphylococcus ; and the third was polymicrobial and associated with Pseudomonas , Streptococcus , and Prevotella . Biofilm type was significantly correlated with stent material: covered metal with the Staphylococcus -type biofilm, silicone with the Corynebacterium -dominated biofilm, and uncovered metal with the polymicrobial biofilm. Subjects with sequential stents had frequent transitions between community types. Fungal analysis found Candida was most prevalent, Aspergillus was common and highly enriched in two of three stents associated with airway anastomotic dehiscence, and fungal taxa not typically considered pathogens were highly enriched in some stents. Thus, molecular analysis revealed a complex and dynamic endobronchial stent biofilm with three bacterial types that associate with stent material, a central role for Corynebacterium , and that both expected and unexpected fungi inhabit this unique niche. The current work provides a foundation for studies to investigate the relationship between stent biofilm composition and clinical outcomes, mechanisms of biofilm establishment, and strategies for improved stent technology and use in airway compromise.

Central airway obstruction (CAO) is caused by many disease processes including malignant, benign and iatrogenic etiologies leading to significant morbidity and mortality. The most common malignant cause of CAO is direct extension from tumor. Bronchogenic, esophageal and thyroid cancers are amongst the most frequent malignant CAOs. Primary tracheal tumors are relatively less common and are usually due to squamous cell cancer and adenoid cystic carcinoma. Common benign causes of CAO are due to stenosis from prior endotracheal or tracheostomy tubes and foreign bodies. Treatment of CAO is oftentimes performed by interventional pulmonologists (IPs) and management requires a multidisciplinary approach between IP, otolaryngologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, oncologists, and anesthesiologists (1).Clinical signs and symptoms of CAO depend on the degree of airway narrowing. Patients will complain of dyspnea and wheezing with worsening nocturnal symptoms

Purpose: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is an expensive and scarce life sustaining treatment provided to certain critically ill patients. Little is known about the informed consent process for ECMO or clinician viewpoints on ethical complexities related to ECMO in practice. Methods: We sent a cross-sectional survey to all departments providing ECMO within 7 United States hospitals in January 2021. One clinician from each department completed the 42-item survey representing their department. Results: Fourteen departments within 7 hospitals responded (response rate 78%, N = 14/18). The mean time spent consenting patients or surrogate decision-makers for ECMO varied, from 7.5 minutes (95% CI 5-10) for unstable patients to 20 minutes (95% CI 15-30) for stable patients (p = 0.0001). Few clinician respondents (29%) report patients or surrogate decision-makers always possess informed consent for ECMO. Most departments (92%) have absolute exclusion criteria for ECMO such as older age (43%, cutoffs ranging from 60-75 years), active malignancy (36%), and elevated body mass index (29%). A significant minority of departments (29%) do not always offer the option to withdraw ECMO to patients or surrogate decision-makers. For patients who cannot be liberated from ECMO and are ineligible for heart or lung transplant, 36% of departments would recommend the patient be removed from ECMO and 64% would continue ECMO support. Conclusion: Adequate informed consent for ECMO is a major ethical challenge, and the content of these discussions varies. Use of categorical exclusion criteria and withdrawal of ECMO if a patient cannot be liberated from it differ among departments and institutions.

Pleomorphic adenomas are the most common tumors of the salivary glands. Rarely, they occur as benign lesions in the lungs in both the central airways and the lung parenchyma. Herein, we present a case of a 60-year-old smoker who was incidentally found to have an endobronchial mass while undergoing evaluation for a lung nodule. During bronchoscopy, a smooth globular nodule was identified at the main carina and removed using electrocautery snare. Histopathology examination revealed this to be a pleomorphic adenoma.