ABSTRACT
SESSION TITLE: Rare Pulmonary Infections SESSION TYPE: Rapid Fire Case Reports PRESENTED ON: 10/18/2022 01:35 pm - 02:35 pm INTRODUCTION: Aspergillus is a group of opportunistic endemic fungal species that causes pathology within the respiratory tract and sinuses of individuals with predisposing factors, such as immunosuppression. While less frequently discussed, aspergillosis thyroiditis represents the most common fungal thyroiditis. We present a case of this condition that was misdiagnosed as amiodarone induced thyrotoxicosis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 54-year-old male was evaluated in outpatient pulmonary clinic after a chest CT revealed new upper lobe mass-like pleural based infiltrates with accompanying symptoms of dyspnea on exertion and fevers. His medical history was significant for orthotopic heart transplant 6 months ago due to a combination of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy with further decompensation from COVID-19 infection. After transplant, he was diagnosed with thyrotoxicosis secondary to amiodarone that was being treated with prednisone and methimazole. Given the concern for infection on imaging, he was admitted to the hospital and underwent urgent bronchoscopic evaluation. During the procedure, he was noted to have severe extrinsic tracheal compression. His neck imaging was consistent with a nodular goiter. The BAL revealed Aspergillosis fumigatus and he was subsequently treated with isavuconazium. Given the compression on the trachea and persistent dyspnea, the decision was to pursue total thyroidectomy. Surgery occurred 2 months after treatment was initiated for the Aspergillosis and with improvement on serial chest CTs. Pathologic examination of the thyroid tissue revealed extensive invasive aspergillus with abscesses involving both lobes. DISCUSSION: Aspergillus infection leading to disseminated disease typically occurs in individuals that have a compromised immune system such as seen in malignancy, solid organ transplant, chronic steroid use, and poorly controlled diabetes mellitus. Recently, it has been cited that up to 15% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients requiring intensive care develop aspergillus infection. After initial aspergillosis infection has been established, the thyroid gland is a site for dissemination due to its rich vascular supply. In addition, due to the angioinvasive properties of the pathogen, the fungus can breakdown tissue planes and easily travel from its site of origin. Thereby a primary infection in the respiratory tract can lead to dissemination to the neck structures due to its proximity. When thyroid invasion occurs, the common complaints are neck pain and swelling. Thyroid laboratory findings encompass the full spectrum including hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and euthyroid. Given these non-specific findings, clinicians need to be conscious of this disease entity. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with immunocompromising conditions, findings of neck pain, swelling, and abnormal thyroid laboratory values should broaden the differential for clinicians to include aspergillosis thyroiditis. Reference #1: Alvi, Madiha M et al. "Aspergillus thyroiditis: a complication of respiratory tract infection in an immunocompromised patient.” Case reports in endocrinology vol. 2013 (2013): 741041. doi:10.1155/2013/741041 Reference #2: Marui, Suemi, et al. "Suppurative thyroiditis due to aspergillosis: a case report.” Journal of Medical Case Reports 8.1 (2014): 1-3. Reference #3: Kuehn, Bridget M. "Aspergillosis Is Common Among COVID-19 Patients in the ICU.” JAMA 326.16 (2021): 1573-1573. DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by A. Whitney Brown, value=Honoraria Removed 04/03/2022 by A. Whitney Brown No relevant relationships by A. Whitney Brown, value=Honoraria Removed 04/03/2022 by A. Whitney Brown No relevant relationships by A. Whitney Brown, value=Consulting fee Removed 04/03/2022 by A. Whitney Brown No relevant relationships by Kristen Bussa Advisory Committee Member relationship with Boehringer Ingelheim Please note: 2019-2021 Added 04/03/2022 by Christopher King, value=Consulting f e Advisory Committee Member relationship with Actelion Please note: 2019-2022 Added 04/03/2022 by Christopher King, value=Consulting fee Advisory Committee Member relationship with United Therapeutics Please note: 2019-2022 Added 04/03/2022 by Christopher King, value=Consulting fee Speaker/Speaker's Bureau relationship with Actelion Please note: 2019-2022 Added 04/03/2022 by Christopher King, value=Consulting fee Speaker/Speaker's Bureau relationship with United Therapeutics Please note: 2020-22 Added 04/03/2022 by Christopher King, value=Consulting fee No relevant relationships by Haresh Mani No relevant relationships by Mary Beth Maydosz No relevant relationships by Alan Nyquist No relevant relationships by Anju Singhal No relevant relationships by Amy Thatcher
ABSTRACT
SESSION TITLE: COVID-19 Infections: Issues During and After Hospitalization SESSION TYPE: Original Investigations PRESENTED ON: 10/17/2022 01:30 pm - 02:30 pm PURPOSE: It has been established that recipients of solid organ transplants have worse outcomes compared to the general population from COVID-19 infections. We sought to determine the course and outcomes of lung transplant recipients (LTR) with COVID-19 infections based on vaccination status and treatments. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of all LTR from Inova Fairfax Hospital with COVID-19 infections. Infection was confirmed based on symptoms and testing from an urgent care, hospital, or home kit. Patients with presumed but unconfirmed COVID-19 infections were excluded. The study timeframe was the two-year period: 3/1/2020 - 2/28/2022. Data collected included patient demographics, transplant type, immunosuppression, immunization status, episodes of rejection, donor derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) values (where available), spirometric data, outpatient/inpatient treatments, hospitalization data, and outcomes including death, infections, and other complications. The severity of illness was based on the 8-point ordinal scale. RESULTS: There were 45 LTR who tested positive during the study period;22 male and 23 female, average age of 57 and mean time from transplant of 4 years. 11 of the patients were unvaccinated (UV), 2 partially vaccinated (PV), 11 vaccinated non-boosted (VNB), and 21 vaccinated and boosted (VB). In total, 34 (76%) LTR required hospitalization. Of those hospitalized: 7 UV, 1 PV, 11 VNB, and 15 FV. In addition, 7 of those hospitalized required intubation with only 1/7 surviving to discharge. Overall, 8/45 (17.8%) patients died from COVID-19: 3 UV, 1PV, 1 VNB, 3VB. Infectious complications included 3 cases of PCP, 1 empyema, and 1 reactivation of CMV. For individuals who had spirometry at least 2 weeks after diagnosis (n =25), FVC decreased in 17 LTR by an average of 0.17 L, the FEV1 decreased in 14 LTR by an average of 0.14 L. On repeat spirometry testing (n=14), FVC further decreased in 9 LTR by 0.25 L and the FEV1 further decreased in 7 LTR by 0.13 L. CONCLUSIONS: A large proportion of LTR with COVID-19 infections require hospitalization (76%) with a high associated mortality rate and a sustained lung function decline seen in many who survive. The high mortality was independent of vaccination status, likely reflecting the inability of LTR to mount an immune response. A high index of suspicion and monitoring for superimposed infections, especially PCP, appears prudent. The sustained decline in lung function raises the notion of COVID-19 as a precipitating factor for chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD). CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: LTR who contract COVID-19 infection represent a high-risk population, even in those fully vaccinated, with potential for hospitalization, death, loss of lung function, and infectious complications. In this population, new algorithms for immunosuppression, monitoring and treatments may help to improve outcomes. DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Shambhu Aryal No relevant relationships by A. Whitney Brown, value=Honoraria Removed 04/03/2022 by A. Whitney Brown No relevant relationships by A. Whitney Brown, value=Honoraria Removed 04/03/2022 by A. Whitney Brown No relevant relationships by A. Whitney Brown, value=Consulting fee Removed 04/03/2022 by A. Whitney Brown No relevant relationships by Jessica Chun No relevant relationships by Meg Fregoso No relevant relationships by Vikramjit Khangoora Advisory Committee Member relationship with Boehringer Ingelheim Please note: 2019-2021 Added 04/03/2022 by Christopher King, value=Consulting fee Advisory Committee Member relationship with Actelion Please note: 2019-2022 Added 04/03/2022 by Christopher King, value=Consulting fee Advisory Committee Member relationship with United Therapeutics Please note: 2019-2022 Added 04/03/2022 by Christopher King, value=Consulting fee Speaker/Speaker's Bureau relationship with Actelion Please note: 2019-2022 Added 04/0 /2022 by Christopher King, value=Consulting fee Speaker/Speaker's Bureau relationship with United Therapeutics Please note: 2020-22 Added 04/03/2022 by Christopher King, value=Consulting fee Consultant relationship with Veracyte Please note: $1001 - $5000 by Steven Nathan, value=Honoraria Removed 03/29/2022 by Steven Nathan Consultant relationship with United Therapeutics Please note: $5001 - $20000 by Steven Nathan, value=Consulting fee Consultant relationship with Bellerophon Please note: $5001 - $20000 by Steven Nathan, value=Consulting fee Speaker/Speaker's Bureau relationship with Roche-Genentech Please note: $5001 - $20000 by Steven Nathan, value=Honoraria Speaker/Speaker's Bureau relationship with Boerhinger-Ingelheim Please note: $20001 - $100000 by Steven Nathan, value=Honoraria No relevant relationships by Alan Nyquist No relevant relationships by Michelle Schreffler Speaker/Speaker's Bureau relationship with United Therapeutics Please note: 2020-2022 Added 04/01/2022 by Oksana Shlobin, value=Consulting fee Speaker/Speaker's Bureau relationship with Bayer Please note: 2020-2022 Added 04/01/2022 by Oksana Shlobin, value=Honoraria Speaker/Speaker's Bureau relationship with Janssen&Janssen Please note: 2020-2022 Added 04/01/2022 by Oksana Shlobin, value=Honoraria Consultant relationship with Altavant Please note: 2020-2022 Added 04/01/2022 by Oksana Shlobin, value=Consulting fee Consultant relationship with Acceleron Please note: 2020-2022 Added 04/01/2022 by Oksana Shlobin, value=Honoraria Consultant relationship with United Therapeutics Please note: 2020-2022 Added 04/01/2022 by Oksana Shlobin, value=Honoraria No relevant relationships by Anju Singhal No relevant relationships by Christopher Thomas