A new discovery by the Pennsylvania Division of Well being earns CDC recognition for safeguarding transplant recipients from extreme lung infections

The Centers for Illness Handle and Prevention (CDC) announced that the Pennsylvania Division of Well being has develop into the 1st in the United States to recognize Legionella transmission from an organ straight to a transplant patient. This discovery has the possible to protect against Legionella transmission in future transplant recipients. A group of epidemiologists from the Division, investigating the causes and patterns of the illness, found suspected transmission of Legionella from a single donor lung to two recipients. Typically, transplant sufferers with weakened immune systems are at enhanced threat of acquiring Legionella from the atmosphere soon after transplantation. On the other hand, the Department’s investigation reveals that the two transplant recipients in this case have been infected by the organ itself, not the atmosphere. Dr. Debra Bogen, Pennsylvania’s acting secretary of wellness, expressed pride in the department’s epidemiologists for this groundbreaking discovery and their possible to boost patient outcomes and lower severe lung infections amongst transplant recipients.

Legionella bacteria are accountable for causing Legionnaires’ illness, which is a extreme type of pneumonia. In 2022, the CDC and the Pennsylvania Division of Well being investigated circumstances of Legionnaires’ illness in two transplant sufferers who each received a single lung from the identical donor. To identify irrespective of whether infections have been transmitted by way of the transplanted organs and to recognize other potentially at-threat sufferers, the researchers studied CT scans, tested samples for Legionella, and reviewed water top quality parameters and Legionella testing records from the transplant hospital. Timely identification of Legionella infection is vital for efficient therapy and prevention of additional complications.

Study by the Pennsylvania Division of Well being on this transmission of Legionella from an organ to a transplant recipient is published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMVR). For media inquiries, get in touch with Mark O’Neill at ra-dhpressoffice@pa.gov.