ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of tacrolimus extended-release (Tac-ER) in the early stage after kidney transplantation. Methods Clinical data of 68 recipients undergoing kidney transplantation from 34 pairs of renal allografts were retrospectively analyzed. Two recipients who received bilateral kidneys from the same donor were treated with Tac-ER (Tac-ER group) and tacrolimus immediate-release (Tac-IR) (Tac-IR group) as one of the basic immunosuppressant. The changes of tacrolimus dosage and blood concentration, intra-patient variability (IPV), renal function, incidence of acute rejection, recipient and allograft survival rates and adverse events were statistically compared between two groups. Results The average daily dose of tacrolimus in the Tac-ER group was significantly higher than that in the Tac-IR group (F=8.386, P=0.005). In the Tac-ER group, the mean trough concentration at postoperative 4 d was (6.14±4.04) ng/mL, did not reach the target concentration, significantly lower than (9.41±5.47) ng/mL in the Tac-IR group (F=7.854, P=0.007). In the Tac-ER group, the IPV of trough concentration of tacrolimus within postoperative 1 month was significantly higher than that in the Tac-IR group (0.44±0.15 vs. 0.36±0.12, P=0.032). At postoperative 6 months, there was no significant difference in the renal function between two groups [serum creatinine level was (126±26) μmol/L vs. (120±28) μmol/L, and the estimated glomerular filtration rate was (56±13) mL/(min·1.73 m2) vs. (60±15) mL/(min·1.73 m2), both P > 0.05]. The allograft and recipient survival rates were 100% in both groups. The incidence of acute rejection within postoperative 1 month was 18% in the Tac-ER group and 3% in the Tac-IR group, with no significant difference (P > 0.05). The overall incidence of adverse events was 94% in the Tac-ER group and 97% in the Tac-IR group, with no significant difference (P > 0.05). Conclusions The efficacy and safety of Tac-ER are equivalent to those of Tac-IR, whereas a higher dose of Tac-ER should be orally given to reach the blood concentration similar to that of Tac-IR. During early-stage drug treatment, Tac-ER should be orally given before kidney transplantation or inittally with loading dose, aiming to increase the systemic exposure to tacrolimus early after kidney transplantation and prevent acute rejection caused by insufficient exposure.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To explore the epidemiological characteristics, risk factors, preventions and treatments of recent human parvovirus B19 (HPV-B19) infections in recipients of renal transplantation (RT).Methods:From May 2020 to June 2021, retrospective review was conducted for epidemiological characteristics, treatment protocols, preventions and outcomes of HPV-B19 infected recipients after RT.Risk factors were analyzed using uninfected recipients after RT in the same period as controls.And 78 recipients who were not infected after RT with similar operation time were used as a control group for risk factor analysis.The infection rates of the four liver transplant recipients infected with HPV-B19 during the same period were calculated and compared with those of the kidney transplant recipients.Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were used for statistical analysis.Results:During the observation period, HPV-B19 infection occurred in 39/368 recipients after RT with an overall infection rate of 10.60%(39/368). In terms of clinical symptoms, all 39 recipients presented with pure red cell aplasia (PRCA). In terms of season of infection, HPV-B19 infections occurred predominantly in autumn and winter [74.3% (29/39) of infections in autumn and winter, including 48.7% (19/39) in autumn]. Comparing the infection rates of different transplant recipients, 4 out of 123 liver transplant recipients were infected with HPV-B19 during the same period.The rate of infection was lower in liver transplant recipients than in RT counterparts (3.25% vs.10.60%, χ2=6.225, P=0.013). Analysis of OR values showed that transfusion of blood products was a risk factor for recent postoperative infection ( χ2=4.806, P=0.028, OR=2.418, 95% CI=1.088-5.373). Conclusions:HPV-B19 infection in renal transplant patients is mainly manifested as PRCA and is more likely than in liver transplant patients.Autumn and winter may be susceptible seasons for HPV-B19 and protection should be increased to prevent infection.Transfusion of blood products is a risk factor for recent HPV-B19 infection after RT, therefore donors should be routinely examined and it is imperative to test the safety of blood products in patients after RT.Thus HPV-B19 infection is well-controlled so that further spread may be prevented to avoid an epidemic outbreak.
ABSTRACT
Organ donation after citizen's death has become the main source of organ donation in China. However, the complexity of donor quality and the increasing proportion of expanded criteria donor (ECD) exert significant impact upon the availability of donor kidney and the long-term prognosis of recipients after kidney transplantation. Strengthening the quality maintenance and evaluation of donor kidney is of great significance for improving the quality of donor kidney, increasing the procurement and utilization of donor kidney and prolonging the long-term survival of recipients and kidney allografts. As one of the major approaches of organ preservation, machine perfusion preservation may not only prolong the preservation time and improve the quality of donor kidney, but also play a critical role in the repair and function evaluation of donor kidney. Based on literature review, several hot issues, corresponding treatment strategies and research progress on machine perfusion in the quality maintenance of donor kidney from organ donation after citizen's death were reviewed in this article, aiming to provide reference for selecting the optimal preservation method of donor kidney and enhancing the quality and utilization rate of ECD donor kidney.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To observe the safety and efficacy of early conversion into a simplified once-daily immunosuppressive regimen of sirolimus plus low-dose extended-release tacrolimus in kidney transplant recipients.Methods:From April 2019 to August 2020, clinical data were collected from 44 recipients (22 pairs) of kidney transplantation. Two kidneys from the same donor were randomly divided into observed and control groups. The immunosuppressive regimen of two groups was the same within 1 month post-transplantation, i. e. tacrolimus plus mycophenolatemofetil (or mycophenolate sodium) and prednisone. Then the immunosuppressive regimen of observed group was switched into a simplified once-daily regimen of sirolimus plus low-dose extended-release tacrolimus and prednisone while control group remained unchanged. The changes of graft function, proteinuria and the incidence of related adverse events were recorded.Results:No inter-group difference existed in serum level of creatinine at Month 1 post-transplantation (163.40±51.57 vs 166.10±49.48 μmol/L). After regimen conversion, serum level of creatinine was slightly lower in observed group than that in control group at Months 3 and 6 post-transplantation (130.10±30.10 vs 134.90±28.97, 121.50±24.96 vs 136.30±27.06). However, there was no statistic difference. The 24-hour urinary total trace protein was slightly higher in observed group than that in control group (331.20±84.21 vs 279.50±80.91 and 209.60±66.02 vs 179.50±37.60 mg/24 h) at Months 3 and 6 post-transplantation. However, there was no statistic difference. No inter-group difference existed in the incidence of drug side effects or other adverse events.Conclusions:In kidney transplant recipients at Month 1 post-transplantation, a conversion of immunosuppressive regimen into a simplified once-daily of sirolimus plus low-dose extended-release tacrolimus can significantly boost patient compliance without an elevated risk of drug side effects or adverse events and offer an advantage of reducing nephrotoxicity.