Our data suggest that mild RSV infections in LTRs might evolve favorably in the absence of specific anti-viral therapy. However, this observation needs confirmation in a large clinical trial specifically investigating the development of BOS in untreated vs treated patients.

Solid organ transplant (SOT) candidates may not be immune against potentially vaccine-preventable diseases because of insufficient immunizations and/or limited vaccine responses. We evaluated the impact on vaccine immunity at transplant of a systematic vaccinology workup at listing that included (1) pneumococcal with and without influenza immunization, (2) serology-based vaccine recommendations against measles, varicella, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis A virus, and tetanus, and (3) the documentation of vaccines and serology tests in a national electronic immunization registry (www.myvaccines.ch). Among 219 SOT candidates assessed between January 2014 and November 2015, 54 patients were transplanted during the study. Between listing and transplant, catch-up immunizations increased the patients' immunity from 70% to 87% (hepatitis A virus, P = .008), from 22% to 41% (hepatitis B virus, P = .008), from 77% to 91% (tetanus, P = .03), and from 78% to 98% (Streptococcus pneumoniae, P = .002). Their immunity at transplant was significantly higher against S. pneumoniae (P = .006) and slightly higher against hepatitis A virus (P = .07), but not against hepatitis B virus, than that of 65 SOT recipients transplanted in 2013. This demonstrates the value of a systematic multimodal serology-based approach of immunizations of SOT candidates at listing and the need for optimized strategies to increase their hepatitis B virus vaccine responses.

Patients with end-stage cystic fibrosis (CF) and severe CF-related diabetes (CFRD) may benefit from combined lung-pancreatic islet transplantation. In the present study, we report the long-term follow-up of four end-stage CF patients treated with combined bilateral lung and pancreatic islet transplantation from the same donor. All patients were C-peptide negative (<0.5 lg/L) and inadequately controlled despite intensive insulin treatment. One patient was transplanted with 4 019 ± 490 islet equivalent/kg injected into the transverse colic vein using a surgical approach. In the remaining three patients, islets were cultured for 3-6 days and transplanted by percutaneous transhepatic catheterization of the portal vein. In all patients, islet allograft recovery was recognized by elevation in the plasma level of C-peptide (>0.5 lg/L). At 6 months after transplantation, one patient showed multiple episodes of acute lung transplant rejection and a progressive decline in pancreatic islet cell function. Three out of four patients experienced an improved control of glucose levels with a HbA1c of 5.2%, 7% and 6% respectively at 1.5, 2 and 15 years follow-up. Compared with the pretransplant period, there was a 50% reduction in mean daily insulin needs. Pulmonary function remained satisfactory in all patients. In conclusion, our cases series shows that combined bilateral lung and pancreatic islet transplantation may be a viable therapeutic option for patients with end-stage CF and CFRD.

Background: Airway stenting (AS) commenced in Europe circa 1987 with the first placement of a dedicated silicone airway stent. Subsequently, over the last 3 decades, AS was spread throughout Europe, using different insertion techniques and different types of stents. Objectives: This study is an international survey conducted by the European Association of Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology (EABIP) focusing on AS practice within 26 European countries. Methods: A questionnaire was sent to all EABIP National Delegates in February 2015. National delegates were responsible for obtaining precise and objective data regarding the current AS practice in their country. The deadline for data collection was February 2016. Results: France, Germany, and the UK are the 3 leading countries in terms of number of centres performing AS. These 3 nations represent the highest ranked nations within Europe in terms of gross national income. Overall, pulmonologists perform AS exclusively in 5 countries and predominately in 12. AS is performed almost exclusively in public hospitals. AS performed under general anaesthesia is the rule for the majority of institutions, and local anaesthesia is an alternative in 9 countries. Rigid bronchoscopy techniques are predominant in 20 countries. Amongst commercially available stents, both Dumon and Ultraflex are by far the most commonly deployed. Finally, 11 countries reported that AS is an economically viable activity, while 10 claimed that it is not. Conclusion: This EABIP survey demonstrates that there is significant heterogeneity in AS practice within Europe. Therapeutic bronchoscopy training and economic issues/reimbursement for procedures are likely to be the primary reasons explaining these findings.