World’s First Lung Transplant Between Two HIV-Positive Individuals Achieved

World’s First Lung Transplant Between Two HIV-Positive Individuals Achieved

June 24, 2026 discoverhiddenusacom Health

Surgeons at NYU Langone Health have performed the world’s first lung transplant from a donor with HIV to a recipient also living with the virus. The procedure, completed in March, involved a 56-year-old patient who received the organs from a deceased donor. This medical milestone expands the potential pool of donor organs and offers a new pathway for patients living with HIV who require life-saving lung transplants.

Expanding Organ Donor Eligibility

The successful transplant demonstrates that HIV status alone does not prevent a patient from receiving or donating life-saving organs. For years, patients with HIV could receive organs from HIV-negative donors, provided their viral load was well-controlled through antiretroviral therapy. However, this case marks the first time a lung transplant has been successfully completed between two HIV-positive individuals.

Did You Know? The 2013 HIV Organ Policy Equity (HOPE) Act was instrumental in this achievement, as it removed long-standing federal restrictions that had previously prohibited the use of organs from HIV-positive donors for transplant.

Why Lung Transplants Are Complex

Lung transplantation presents unique challenges compared to other organ procedures. Because lungs are constantly exposed to environmental pollutants, bacteria, and viruses, they are more susceptible to infection and immune rejection. Historically, surgeons remained cautious about performing these transplants on patients with HIV due to the necessity of immunosuppressant medications.

Why Lung Transplants Are Complex
Expert Insight: This development signals a shift in how medical teams manage transplant risks. By leveraging advancements in antiretroviral therapy, surgeons can now better ensure that patients maintain undetectable viral levels and stable immune function, making successful transplantation a viable reality for carefully selected candidates.

Implications for Future Care

This procedure may lead to shorter wait times and reduced mortality rates for patients on transplant lists. Research published in the American Journal of Transplantation on kidney and liver transplants suggests that outcomes for HIV-positive recipients can be comparable to those of HIV-negative recipients when patients are selected with care. As medical teams continue to monitor these outcomes, it is possible that the criteria for organ transplantation will evolve to include more patients living with chronic conditions, provided they maintain consistent post-transplant care and viral suppression.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the primary barrier to this transplant previously?
Historically, federal law prohibited the use of organs from HIV-positive donors. Additionally, concerns regarding the vulnerability of lungs to infection and the risks of immunosuppression made surgeons cautious about performing lung transplants on patients living with HIV.

What role did the HOPE Act play in this development?
The 2013 HOPE Act removed decades-old restrictions on organ donation from HIV-positive donors. This legislation created the legal framework that allowed for the subsequent successes in kidney and liver transplants, which ultimately paved the way for this lung transplant.

Are there specific requirements for patients to be eligible for such a transplant?
Yes, experts emphasize that careful patient selection is critical. Recipients must demonstrate well-controlled HIV, typically through consistent antiretroviral therapy, and be capable of adhering to the rigorous monitoring and lifelong medication regimens required after a transplant.

How might this advancement change the way transplant centers prioritize patients on waiting lists in the coming years?