Background: Despite new immunosuppression protocols, cellular rejection has still an impact on survival after lung transplantation (LTx). The aim of the study was to analyse unspecific inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen in the context of cellular rejection.
Material/Methods: The study group included 7 LTx patients (2 women and 5 men, mean age 43.6±12.1 yr, BMI 21.0±7.1) at rejection periods (n=10) before and after methylprednisolonum administration (group A and B, respectively). The control group (group C) included 10 lung transplant recipients (3 women and 7 men, mean age 46.6±14.5 yr, BMI 18.2±3.0) at clinically stable period. Serum CRP levels were measured using a commercially available kit with the turbidimetric method and fibrinogen levels were measured by routine Clauss method.
Results: Intriguingly, no significant differences in average CRP values between analyzed groups were found (average CRP value of group C, A and B was 40.5±42.4, 42.3±52.0, 32.8±28.5; respectively). Significantly increased average fibrinogen value in group B was revealed when compared to group C (662.3±27.8 vs. 490.0±128.3, p<0.05; respectively).
Conclusions: Non-invasive diagnosis of acute cellular rejection in lung transplantation recipients is extremely difficult. Higher fibrinogen concentrations might be associated with increased risk of rejection.

Keywords: Lung Transplantation