Rapid Detection of Airway Pathogens for Lung Transplantation

Pneumonias and lower respiratory tract infections can have important long-term consequences, particularly in the context of lung transplantation, where pneumonia is a major cause of death. Candidate organs and lung transplant recipients undergo bronchoscopic inspection to assess for lower respiratory tract infection, but traditional culture methods take time, leading to increased risk from inappropriate therapy. The investigators hypothesize that the rapid detection of lower respiratory tract infection, using a semi-quantitative multiplex molecular assay, can decrease the time to appropriate clinical decision making.