Lung transplant in chronic HIV infection

Abstract

Lung transplantation is the treatment of choice for many end-stage chronic lung conditions. Chronic Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection is considered a relative contraindication for lung transplantation. In the era of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART), there has been an increase in the number of HIV-positive patients living with chronic lung conditions. In this paper, we aim to summarise the available literature in the field of lung transplantation in HIV-positive patients. We also present our experience of an HIV-positive woman who underwent lung transplantation for chronic interstitial lung disease from an HIV-negative donor.Careful candidate selection, along with management focused on closer monitoring, may result in favourable outcomes, including improved longevity among HIV-positive patients with chronic lung disease.

Keywords: HIV / AIDS; Interstitial lung disease; Transplantation.