Parainfluenza Type 3 Infection in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

ABSTRACT

Purpose: Respiratory viral infection, including COVID-19, causes significant morbidity and mortality in solid organ transplant recipients (SOTR), however, the data of parainfluenza virus (PIV) type 3 infection in this population is still limited. The aim of this study was to reveal the clinical picture of PIV type 3 infection in SOTR. Method(s) This was a retrospective cohort study, conducted between 01/01/2017 and 08/31/2021. We included adult SOTR with an active graft whose respiratory specimen, either nasopharyngeal swab or bronchoalveolar lavage, was positive for PIV type 3 via Filmarray 2.0 and Torch, BioMerieux. Lower respiratory tract infection was defined as any chest radiological abnormality. Result(s) We identified 25 patients including 14 kidney, 4 lung, 3 heart, 1 liver, and 3 combined transplant recipients (Table 1). Hospital and intensive care unit admission rate was 88% (22/25) and 16% (4/25), respectively. Lower respiratory tract infection was seen in 44% (11/25). No specific treatments for PIV type 3 were given to this cohort. Co-, secondary infection was observed in 4 (16%) SOTR with 2 Enterovirus/ Rhinovirus, 1 Fusobacterium bacteremia, and 1 Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia. Only 2 (8%) died within three months after diagnosis. Conclusion(s) PIV type 3 in SOTR showed favorable outcome and no episodes of rejection occurring during follow up. Further studies should be needed to identify the risk factors for mortality.