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World's first lung transplant on HIV patient performed

initiated by anjela on May 27, 2007 (http://advocate.com/news_detail_ektid45455.asp)

ROME: An Italian hospital has carried out the first ever transplant of two lungs into a patient with HIV, who is doing well after the operation, a spokeswoman said.

The adult man whose life was in danger from respiratory illness, "was operated on at the start of the week and his post-operation diagnosis is good," said Serena Pizzo, spokeswoman for the Mediterranean Institute for Transplantation and Advanced Specialised Therapies in Palermo.

Liver, kidney and pancreas transplants for HIV-positive patients have previously been performed successfully, but the operation in Italy was the first involving lungs, she said.

"The possibility of carrying out transplants on HIV-positive patients has been made possible by a new range of treatments that are very effective against HIV," said Paolo Grossi, a specialist monitoring the patient.

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