Anti-HLA Immunization in Patients After Lung Transplantation: A Comparative Study Before and During the Pandemic.

Anti-human leukocyte antigen (anti-HLA) sensitization in lung transplant recipients (LTRs) can significantly impact graft survival and patient outcomes. The global pandemic, induced by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, brought about numerous challenges in the medical sphere, including potential alterations in HLA immunization patterns among LTRs. A retrospective analysis of LTRs group transplanted from July 2018 to 1 March 2020 (pre-pandemic) was compared with patients transplanted from 1 March 2020 to December 2022 (during the pandemic). Totally 92 patients were controlled. Patients were also divided into 2 groups: vaccinated and non-vaccinated. The results of cytotoxic crossmatch, results of anti-HLA antibody testing, presence of DSA before and after transplantation, and early and late graft function were compared between groups. In the pandemic and vaccinated groups, an increase was observed in the number of positive crossmatch tests performed with a pool of B lymphocytes. However, the presence of dithiothreitol abolished the positive reaction in 90% of cases. We also observed an increased percentage of patients immunized based on the results of solid phase tests both in the pandemic group and in the group of patients who received vaccination against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It might be that the pandemic/vaccination has influenced the prevalence of anti-HLA immunization in LTRs. Further studies are essential to establish causative factors and develop targeted interventions for this population of patients.

Treatment of Patients After Lung Transplantation With Covid Infection During Long-Term Follow-Up.

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing lung transplantation are routinely managed with lifelong immunosuppression, which is associated with a heightened risk for infections. This study delves into the therapeutic challenges and strategies for managing lung transplant recipients (LTRs) infected with COVID-19 during long-term follow-up. METHODS: The was a case series analysis, among which nonstandard therapies consisting of targeted antibody treatment, antiviral drugs, or anti-interleukin-6 drugs were applied in patients after lung transplantation. Additional analysis of laboratory test results for systemic inflammation and imaging studies was also carried out. The study was limited to a dedicated COVID-19 center, commonly known as a temporary hospital, and included patients infected with COVID-19 in the late post-lung transplant period (home-related infection). RESULTS: Fifteen post-lung transplantation patients with current COVID-19 infection were treated with antibodies such as tocilizumab, casirivimab, imdevimab, and regdanvimab. Of these patients, 1 was given tocilizumab (7%), 8 casirivimab and imdevimab (53%), and 2 regdanvimab (13%). Of the 15 lung transplant recipients studied, 8 presented COVID-19-associated lung changes in computed tomography scans (53%). Common clinical manifestations included dyspnea, fever, and fatigue. Antiviral agents, like remdesivir, were employed in the remaining 4 cases (27%), and adjunctive therapies, such as corticosteroids and anticoagulants, were used selectively. All treated patients survived the infection without complications; the treatment proved effective and safe.

Two Pregnancy Care Models in Poland-A Descriptive-Comparative Study.

Care for a pregnant woman can take various organizational forms. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends leaders increase research into health systems. The aim of this is to manage the healthcare system in such a way as to provide beneficiaries with access to high-quality services with limited financial resources. The study presented in this paper was conducted using a diagnostic survey on a group of 1697 Polish women in the traditional model of care (TM) and 3216 women in the Coordinated Care for Pregnant Women Program (CCP). Two research tools were used in this study. The first is a survey prepared by the National Health Fund, the second is an author's survey. The results indicate that most women (85%) receiving care under the CCP received effective pain management, compared to 67% under the traditional care model (p < 0.001). In the CCP, women were significantly more likely to receive midwife assistance in infant care (90%) than women in the traditional care model (60%) (p < 0.001). Significantly more CCP patients want to return to the same hospital for their subsequent childbirth (74%) than women in the traditional model of care (43%) (p < 0.001). In patients' opinion, the new CCP model is superior in meeting their needs and providing higher-quality services. However, educating women that an obstetrician-gynecologist and a midwife can manage their pregnancy is still necessary. In addition to the CCP program, special attention should be paid to available pain management during childbirth since the use of analgesia is still insufficient in Polish hospitals.