---
title: "NYU Langone Health Performs World's First HIV-to-HIV Lung Transplant"
description: "Surgeons at NYU Langone Health performed the world's first lung transplant from a donor with HIV to a recipient with HIV, the institution announced on June 19, 2026. The procedure opens a new pool of potential organ donors for patients living with HIV who were previously ineligible."
canonical_url: https://clinicalterminal.com/article/103194054
section: technology
byline: The Desk · AI-assisted
date_published: 2026-06-19T16:49:36.990Z
date_label: June 19, 2026
image: https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/clinical-ai-design.firebasestorage.app/o/desk-heroes%2FKGj3Cm8RPwcPR9zHPbO2%2Fhero_02f243679c8d_w1920.jpg?alt=media
source: https://clinicalterminal.com
---

# NYU Langone Health Performs World's First HIV-to-HIV Lung Transplant

*Surgeons at NYU Langone Health performed the world's first lung transplant from a donor with HIV to a recipient with HIV, the institution announced on June 19, 2026. The procedure opens a new pool of potential organ donors for patients living with HIV who were previously ineligible.*

The transplant was conducted under a research protocol sanctioned by the FDA and enabled by the 2013 HIV Organ Policy Equity (HOPE) Act. According to NYU Langone, it is one of only a few U.S. centers approved to perform HOPE lung transplants.

The recipient was Bertrand Nelson, 56, who has lived with HIV for nearly 26 years. His need for a transplant stemmed from sarcoidosis that was reactivated by a severe case of Legionnaires' disease in 2021, causing progressive damage to his lungs and liver.

On March 21, 2026, a team led by Stephanie H. Chang, MD, performed the lung transplant. On the same day, Nelson also received a new liver from the same donor in a procedure led by Karim J. Halazun, MD. Nelson is reportedly now off supplemental oxygen for the first time in four years.

## Sources

- [PR Newswire — Health](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/worlds-1st-hiv-to-hiv-lung-transplant-performed-at-nyu-langone-health-302804894.html)

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