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Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Effect of Kidney Transplantation on Outcomes among Patients with Hepatitis C

Effect of Kidney Transplantation on Outcomes among Patients with Hepatitis C: "
The long-term outcome of kidney transplantation in patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and end stage renal disease (ESRD) is not well described. We retrospectively identified 230 HCV-infected patients using enzyme immunoassay and nucleic acid testing obtained during the transplant evaluation. Of 207 patients who had a liver biopsy before transplant, 44 underwent 51 follow-up liver biopsies at approximately 5-year intervals either while on the waitlist for a kidney or after kidney transplantation. Advanced fibrosis was present in 10% of patients biopsied, identifying a population that may warrant consideration for combined liver-kidney transplantation. Kidney transplantation does not seem to accelerate liver injury; 77% of kidney recipients who underwent follow-up biopsies showed stable or improved liver histology.

Early Loss of Peritubular Capillaries after Kidney Transplantation

Early Loss of Peritubular Capillaries after Kidney Transplantation: "
Inflammation, interstitial fibrosis (IF), and tubular atrophy (TA) precede chronic transplant dysfunction, which is a major cause of renal allograft loss. There is an association between IF/TA and loss of peritubular capillaries (PTCs) in advanced renal disease, but whether PTC loss occurs in an early stage of chronic transplant dysfunction is unknown. Here, we studied PTC number, IF/TA, inflammation, and renal function in 48 patients who underwent protocol biopsies.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Randomized Trial of Mycophenolate Mofetil Versus Enteric-Coated Mycophenolate Sodium in Primary Renal Transplantation With Tacrolimus and Steroid Avoidance: Four-Year Analysis

Randomized Trial of Mycophenolate Mofetil Versus Enteric-Coated Mycophenolate Sodium in Primary Renal Transplantation With Tacrolimus and Steroid Avoidance: Four-Year Analysis: "Background. Our single-center, open-labeled randomized trial of 150 adult, primary kidney transplant recipients receiving 2 g mycophenolate mofetil (group A, n=75) versus 1.440 g enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (group B, n=75), with reduced maintenance tacrolimus dosing, steroid elimination at 1 week, and combined rabbit antithymocyte globulin/daclizumab induction, previously showed at 1 year posttransplant low biopsy-proven acute rejection (BPAR), acceptably high renal function, and no differences in incidence of symptomatic gastrointestinal (GI) side effects between the two groups. This report includes 3 additional years of follow-up with similar endpoints as in the original study.
Methods. Rates of developing first BPAR, graft failure (death censored and uncensored), death, and adverse events (GI toxicity, infections requiring hospitalization, and new onset diabetes mellitus after transplantation) during the first 48 months posttransplant were compared between the two groups using an intent-to-treat approach.

Effect of Human Leukocyte Antigen Compatibility on Kidney Graft Survival: Comparative Analysis of Two Decades

Effect of Human Leukocyte Antigen Compatibility on Kidney Graft Survival: Comparative Analysis of Two Decades: "Background. Based on an analysis of United Network for Organ Sharing data, it was reported that the influence of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matching in renal transplantation has diminished in recent years, prompting the suggestion that donor kidney allocation algorithms should be revised.
Methods. We compared the impact of HLA matching on kidney graft survival during the decades 1985-1994 and 1995-2004 using the data of the Collaborative Transplant Study. Results for the last 5 years (2000-2004) were analyzed separately in addition. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to account for the influence of confounders.
Results. Our results show that, while graft survival rates have improved overall over time, the relative impact of HLA matching on the graft survival rate has remained strong and highly significant. Both the need for posttransplant rejection treatment and the graft survival rates showed statistically highly significant associations with HLA matching regardless of the interval analyzed (P<0.001).
Conclusions. We conclude that HLA mismatches significantly influence the outcome of kidney transplants and that kidney exchange programs for the purpose of achieving better HLA matches continue to be meaningful.
(C) 2007 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc."

Monday, May 23, 2011

Preemptive versus prophylactic protocol to prevent cytomegalovirus infection after renal transplantation: a meta-analysis and systematic review of randomized controlled trials

Preemptive versus prophylactic protocol to prevent cytomegalovirus infection after renal transplantation: a meta-analysis and systematic review of randomized controlled trials: "
L.-F. Zhang, Y.-T. Wang, J.-H. Tian, K.-H. Yang, J.-Q. Wang. Preemptive versus prophylactic protocol to prevent cytomegalovirus infection after renal transplantation: a meta-analysis and systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Transpl Infect Dis 2011. All rights reserved
Objective. This review was conducted to assess the efficacy of preemptive versus prophylactic protocols for the prevention and treatment of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and disease after renal transplantation.
Methods. PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, SCI, the China Journal Full-text Database, the Chinese Biomedical Database, the Chinese Scientific Journals Full-text Database, and the CMA Digital Periodicals were searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of preemptive versus prophylactic protocols for the prevention and treatment of CMV infections after renal transplantation (up to April 2010). Two reviewers independently extracted data using a designed extraction form. The quality of the included trials was evaluated according to the Cochrane Handbook. RevMan 5.0 software was used for data analysis.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Alemtuzumab Induction in Renal Transplantation

Alemtuzumab Induction in Renal Transplantation: (N Engl J Med 2011)


BACKGROUND

There are few comparisons of antibody induction therapy allowing early glucocorticoid withdrawal in renal-transplant recipients. The purpose of the present study was to compare induction therapy involving alemtuzumab with the most commonly used induction regimens in patient populations at either high immunologic risk or low immunologic risk.

METHODS

In this prospective study, we randomly assigned patients to receive alemtuzumab or conventional induction therapy (basiliximab or rabbit antithymocyte globulin). Patients were stratified according to acute rejection risk, with a high risk defined by a repeat transplant, a peak or current value of panel-reactive antibodies of 20% or more, or black race. The 139 high-risk patients received alemtuzumab (one dose of 30 mg, in 70 patients) or rabbit antithymocyte globulin (a total of 6 mg per kilogram of body weight given over 4 days, in 69 patients). The 335 low-risk patients received alemtuzumab (one dose of 30 mg, in 164 patients) or basiliximab (a total of 40 mg over 4 days, in 171 patients). All patients received tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil and underwent a 5-day glucocorticoid taper in a regimen of early steroid withdrawal. The primary end point was biopsy-confirmed acute rejection at 6 months and 12 months. Patients were followed for 3 years for safety and efficacy end points.

Friday, May 20, 2011

Desmopressin Acetate in Percutaneous Ultrasound-Guided Kidney Biopsy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Desmopressin Acetate in Percutaneous Ultrasound-Guided Kidney Biopsy: A Randomized Controlled Trial: "Background: Bleeding complications occur in one-third of percutaneous kidney biopsies and increase costs of the hospital stay. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of prebiopsy administration of desmopressin acetate versus placebo in the incidence of postbiopsy bleeding complications.Study Design: Double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial.Setting & Participants: We enrolled all patients with serum creatinine level ≤1.5 mg/dL and/or estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and normal coagulation parameters undergoing ultrasound-guided biopsy of the native kidney in our unit from August 2008 to December 2009.Intervention:

Prophylactic Peritoneal Fenestration to Prevent Morbidity After Kidney Transplantation: A Randomized Study

Prophylactic Peritoneal Fenestration to Prevent Morbidity After Kidney Transplantation: A Randomized Study: "Background. Formation of lymphocele (accumulation of lymphatic fluid) is a common surgical complication following kidney transplantation. This open randomized trial evaluated the effect of prophylactic fenestration on lymphocele formation.
Methods. Adult recipients of kidney grafts from deceased donors were randomized to undergo peritoneal fenestration during the transplantation or to standard surgical procedure without fenestration. The incidence of symptomatic lymphocele in the two groups was compared at 1 year after transplantation. A protocol-based ultrasound examination was performed in the 1st, 5th, and 10th postoperative week. Any hypoechoic perirenal collection was registered.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Mammalian target of rapamycin signal inhibitors could play a role in the treatment of BK polyomavirus nephritis in renal allograft recipients

Mammalian target of rapamycin signal inhibitors could play a role in the treatment of BK polyomavirus nephritis in renal allograft recipients: "
A.I. Sánchez Fructuoso, N. Calvo, I. Perez-Flores, R. Valero, B. Rodríguez-Sánchez, D. García de Viedma, P. Muñoz, A. Barrientos. Mammalian target of rapamycin signal inhibitors could play a role in the treatment of BK polyomavirus nephritis in renal allograft recipients. Transpl Infect Dis 2011. All rights reserved
Abstract: BK virus (BKV) nephropathy is a common viral infection in renal transplant patients, with a prevalence of 1–9% at approximately 12 months after surgery. While it is widely agreed that reduction of immunosuppression should be the first intervention after diagnosis of BKV infection, there is no consensus on whether calcineurin inhibitors or antiproliferative drugs should be reduced first. Furthermore, target levels of immunosuppressive drugs are poorly defined, as are criteria for replacing one immunosuppressive agent with another.

Single-center experience with third and fourth kidney transplants

Single-center experience with third and fourth kidney transplants: "

Kidney retransplantation is often associated with a higher immunological risk than is primary renal transplantation. Faced with increasing organ shortage and growing waiting lists, results of kidney retransplantation are of particular interest. Fifty-six third and fourth kidney transplants were analyzed retrospectively. Parameters included patient and donor demographics, operative details, incidence of surgical, immunological and infectious complications and patient and graft survival. Patients receiving third kidney grafts had 1- and 5-year patient/graft survival rates of 97.4%/72.9% and 88.9%/53.6%, respectively. Episodes of acute rejection and delayed graft function were observed in 44% and 49% of these patients. Fourth kidney transplantation was associated with 1- and 2-year patient/graft survival rates of 84.8%/68.5% and 63.6%/47%, respectively. Acute rejection and delayed graft function occurred in 33% and in 60% of cases. Acceptable patient and graft survival may be achieved after third and fourth kidney transplantation. Graft losses in this sensitized population are mainly because of rejection. Profound immunosuppression may lead to major infectious problems.

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Monday, May 16, 2011

Malignancies after kidney transplantation: a 40-year single-center experience in Korea

Malignancies after kidney transplantation: a 40-year single-center experience in Korea: "

Cancer is a well-recognized complication of kidney transplantation (KT), but nearly almost all data have come from Western countries. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence, type, and risk factors of malignancy after KT in Korea. The 1695 patients who underwent KT between 1969 and 2009 were studied retrospectively.

Epidemiology of Pretransplant EBV and CMV Serostatus in Relation to Posttransplant Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Epidemiology of Pretransplant EBV and CMV Serostatus in Relation to Posttransplant Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: "Background. Despite the importance of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) as a posttransplant complication, the relationship between NHL and recipient seropositivity for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) or cytomegalovirus (CMV) is incompletely understood.

Living Donor Age and Kidney Transplant Outcomes

Living Donor Age and Kidney Transplant Outcomes: "
We assessed the relationship between living donor (LD) age and kidney survival in 1063 adults transplanted between 1980 and 2007. Increasing LD age was associated with lower kidney function (GFR) before and after transplantation and loss of GFR beyond 1 year.

Sotrastaurin, a Novel Small Molecule Inhibiting Protein-Kinase C: Randomized Phase II Study in Renal Transplant Recipients

Sotrastaurin, a Novel Small Molecule Inhibiting Protein-Kinase C: Randomized Phase II Study in Renal Transplant Recipients: "
Sotrastaurin, a selective protein-kinase-C inhibitor, blocks early T-cell activation through a calcineurin-independent mechanism. In this study, de novo renal transplant recipients with immediate graft function were randomized 1:2 to tacrolimus (control, n = 44) or sotrastaurin (300 mg b.i.d.; n = 81).

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Recurrence of Secondary Glomerular Disease after Renal Transplantation

Recurrence of Secondary Glomerular Disease after Renal Transplantation: "Summary
The risk of a posttransplant recurrence of secondary glomerulonephritis (GN) is quite variable. Histologic recurrence is frequent in lupus nephritis, but the lesions are rarely severe and usually do not impair the long-term graft outcome. Patients with Henoch-Schonlein nephritis have graft survival similar to that of other renal diseases, although recurrent Henoch-Schonlein nephritis with extensive crescents has a poor prognosis. Amyloid light-chain amyloidosis recurs frequently in renal allografts but it rarely causes graft failure. Amyloidosis secondary to chronic inflammation may also recur, but this is extremely rare in patients with Behcet's disease or in those with familial Mediterranean fever, when the latter are treated with colchicine. Double organ transplantation (liver/kidney; heart/kidney), chemotherapy, and autologous stem cell transplantation may be considered in particular cases of amyloidosis, such as hereditary amyloidosis or multiple myeloma. There is little experience with renal transplantation in light-chain deposition disease, fibrillary/immunotactoid GN, or mixed cryoglobulinemic nephritis but successful cases have been reported. Diabetic nephropathy often recurs but usually only after many years. Recurrence in patients with small vessel vasculitis is unpredictable but can cause graft failure. However, in spite of recurrence, patient and graft survival rates are similar in patients with small vessel vasculitis compared with those with other renal diseases. Many secondary forms of GN no longer represent a potential contraindication to renal transplantation. The main issues in transplantation of patients with secondary GN are the infectious, cardiovascular, or hepatic complications associated with the original disease or its treatment.
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Induction Immunosuppressive Therapy in the Elderly Kidney Transplant Recipient in the United States

Induction Immunosuppressive Therapy in the Elderly Kidney Transplant Recipient in the United States: "SummaryBackground and objectives
The choice of induction agent in the elderly kidney transplant recipient is unclear.
Design, setting, participants, & measurements
The risks of rejection at 1 year, functional graft loss, and death by induction agent (IL2 receptor antibodies [IL2RA], alemtuzumab, and rabbit antithymocyte globulin [rATG]) were compared among five groups of elderly (≥60 years) deceased-donor kidney transplant recipients on the basis of recipient risk and donor risk using United Network of Organ Sharing data from 2003 to 2008.

Multicenter Analysis of Kidney Preservation

Multicenter Analysis of Kidney Preservation: "Background. Kidney preservation is an integral part of clinical kidney transplantation. Changes in the use of preservation methods and storage solutions, ischemic preservation times, and the relationship between ischemia time and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) match have not been extensively studied in recent years.

Impact of Norovirus/Sapovirus-Related Diarrhea in Renal Transplant Recipients Hospitalized for Diarrhea

Impact of Norovirus/Sapovirus-Related Diarrhea in Renal Transplant Recipients Hospitalized for Diarrhea: "Background. Diarrhea of unspecified cause frequently occurs after renal transplantation and is usually ascribed to mycophenolic acid toxicity. Norovirus (NoV) and sapovirus (SaV) have been sporadically reported to cause chronic diarrhea in immunocompromised patients.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Inferior Kidney Allograft Outcomes in Patients With De Novo Donor-Specific Antibodies Are Due to Acute Rejection Episodes

Inferior Kidney Allograft Outcomes in Patients With De Novo Donor-Specific Antibodies Are Due to Acute Rejection Episodes: "Background. Donor-specific antibodies (DSAs) after kidney transplantation have been associated with poor graft outcomes in multiple studies. However, these studies have generally used stored sera or a single cross sectional screening test to identify patients with DSA. We evaluated the effectiveness of a prospective DSA screening protocol in identifying kidney and kidney/pancreas recipients at risk for poor graft outcomes.

Densitometric Threshold and Vertebral Fractures in Heart Transplant Patients

Densitometric Threshold and Vertebral Fractures in Heart Transplant Patients: "Background. Bone disease is one of the major complications of solid organ transplantation, causes considerable morbidity, and most patients are treated with immunosuppressant drugs after graft. The majority of studies reported rapid bone loss and an increased incidence of fractures after transplantation. The aim of our study was to evaluate osteoporosis and fracture prevalence, bone metabolism, and the effect of immunosuppressant agents on bone after heart transplantation.