Yasushi Murakami

I was very honoured to have the opportunity to make a presentation at the APSR-ISRD Joint Session at ATS 2019 Dallas.

My research interests are lung infections, especially the host immune response in patients with severe pneumonia. In this ATS conference, Dr Sakakibara, my colleague in the same research team, made a presentation on his research and also got the APSR-ISRD award. Our team members were pleasantly surprised at the news that we both got an award.

I gave a presentation on the prognostic role of blood lymphocytopenia in patients with postoperative pneumonia. Recently, the effect of immune-stimulatory therapy has been investigated in the research field of severe infections. Previous studies showed blood lymphocytopenia could be a marker of impaired host immunity, and associated with mortality risk in critically ill patients. In our study, severe and/or prolonged lymphocytopenia was significantly associated with mortality in patients with postoperative pneumonia. From the results of this study, we speculate that immune-stimulatory therapy could be a candidate for adjunctive therapy in patients with postoperative pneumonia. We are planning the next study to investigate the underlying mechanisms for prolonged lymphocytopenia in patients with postoperative pneumonia.

During the session, we could exchange opinion with researchers from several countries in Asia-Pacific region. They gave me their frank opinions for our study, and we had productive discussions for future investigations. In addition, they told me the situations of healthcare and clinical research in their countries. These experiences inspired me to work harder.

I hope to continue growing as a physician and clinical researcher using the experience of APSR-ISRD Joint Session and the ATS conference.