An Unexpected Cause of Lung Disease Identified After Lung Transplantation

Chest. 2023 Oct;164(4):e111-e115. doi: 10.1016/j.chest.2023.04.041.

Abstract

A 54-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus with associated interstitial lung disease (ILD) presented to the lung transplant clinic for assessment of candidacy for transplantation. She was initially diagnosed with ILD based on clinical and radiographic features (never underwent lung biopsy). In addition, she had associated mixed group I/III pulmonary arterial hypertension. The patient had no family history of pulmonary disease and had never used tobacco and did not have a history of illicit drug use. She was maintained on systemic immunosuppression with hydroxychloroquine, mycophenolate mofetil, and nintedanib for ILD as well as inhaled treprostinil, sildenafil, and macitentan for pulmonary arterial hypertension. Given her progressive symptoms on maximal medical therapy, she was referred for consideration to undergo lung transplantation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial* / diagnosis
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial* / drug therapy
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial* / etiology
  • Lung Transplantation* / adverse effects
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic* / complications
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic* / diagnosis
  • Middle Aged
  • Mycophenolic Acid / therapeutic use
  • Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension* / drug therapy

Substances

  • Mycophenolic Acid