Study objective

To define the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and long-term complications of respiratory viral infections in adult lung transplant recipients.

Design

Retrospective review of the records of 122 adult lung transplant recipients over a 5-year period at one institution.

Results

Ten episodes of infection with respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza, influenza, or adenovirus were identified. All patients presented with symptoms of respiratory tract infection. Two patients died acutely and four patients subsequently had development of obliterative bronchiolitis (OB).

Conclusions

These data suggest community respiratory viral infections cause significant morbidity and mortality in lung transplant recipients. Further prospective studies are warranted to clarify the relationship between respiratory viral infection and OB and to define the optimal therapy for these viral infections.