World's first HIV-to-HIV lung transplant performed in the US

Doctors at NYU Langone Health have performed the world's first lung transplant from an HIV-positive donor to an HIV-positive recipient. The procedure could widen access to life-saving organs for people living with HIV.

In Short

• The surgery was carried out on March 21, 2026 under FDA protocol
• Recipient Bertrand Nelson had lived with HIV and sarcoidosis since 2000
• Legionnaires' disease and pneumonia worsened his condition and damaged his liver

A first-of-its-kind surgery in the United States has given fresh hope to people living with HIV who need life-saving organ transplants.

Doctors at NYU Langone Health have successfully performed the world's first lung transplant from an HIV-positive donor to an HIV-positive recipient, expanding the pool of organs available for patients who were previously left with limited options.

The landmark procedure was carried out on March 21, 2026, under a special research protocol approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

The surgery marks an important breakthrough for people living with HIV, who can now expect more opportunities to receive suitable donor organs.

“This is a watershed moment for the HIV-positive community and represents real progress in creating equity in organ transplantation,” said Dr. Sapna Mehta, clinical director of the NYU Langone Transplant Institute and one of the architects of the research protocol that made the surgery possible.

Although HIV-positive-to-HIV-positive transplants are currently allowed only under specific research protocols, Dr. Mehta said the achievement broadens options for patients waiting for life-saving organs.

Thanks to antiretroviral therapy (ART), most people with HIV can now lead long and healthy lives, have near-normal life expectancy and, when treatment is effective, do not transmit the virus.

PATIENT BATTLED MULTIPLE ILLNESSES

The recipient, 56-year-old Bertrand Nelson, had been living with HIV for nearly 26 years. He was diagnosed with both HIV and sarcoidosis in 2000. The inflammatory disease affected his lungs but initially went into remission.

However, after developing Legionnaires' disease and severe pneumonia in 2021, his sarcoidosis returned and eventually spread to his liver. By 2024, his condition had worsened to the point that he required increasing amounts of oxygen to breathe.

He was referred to the NYU Langone Transplant Institute and later enrolled in a research programme under the HIV Organ Policy Equity (HOPE) Act, which allows organ transplants involving HIV-positive donors and recipients under approved studies.

LUNG AND LIVER TRANSPLANTED ON THE SAME DAY

The surgery was led by Dr. Stephanie H. Chang, surgical director of lung transplantation at NYU Langone, while a liver transplant was performed the same day by Dr. Karim J. Halazun, surgical director of liver transplantation.

According to Dr. Mark Sonnick, a transplant pulmonologist and co-author of the research protocol, transplants involving HIV-positive hearts and abdominal organs have been performed before, but lung transplantation had remained unexplored.

“Transplantation of HOPE hearts and abdominal organs has been done before, but this has not been done in lung transplantation. It takes a special kind of patient to be willing to do something that hasn’t been done before,” he said.

BREATHING WITHOUT OXYGEN AFTER FOUR YEARS

Following the operation, Nelson no longer requires supplemental oxygen for the first time in four years and is slowly rebuilding his strength after years of restricted mobility.

He said he hopes his experience will encourage others and draw attention to the needs of people living with HIV who are waiting for transplants.

“There are so many others who need access to this level of care, and the more organs that become available, the better the odds of finding the right match and living a long life,” he said.

The breakthrough could pave the way for more HIV-positive organ donations in the future and help address the shortage of donor organs for patients in urgent need.

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