Use of Kidneys from Hepatitis C Nat Positive Donors for Uninfected Recipients: Early Results from a Rural Appalachian Kidney Transplant Program

ABSTRACT

Purpose: Increasing mismatch between kidneys available for transplant and the number of patients on the transplant wait list has led to research into novel sources of organs. One such source is kidneys from hepatitis C NAT positive deceased donors. This was previously deemed unforbidden territory due to the risk of disease transmission;however, with the development of direct-acting antiviral agents for effective treatment of Hepatitis C, this organ pool is now usable. Method(s) A retrospective analysis of outcomes of Hepatitis C NAT positive kidney transplants into Hepatitis C seronegative recipients was conducted at newly opened Appalachian transplant center. Due to insurance constraints, the criteria to initiate hepatitis C therapy was seroconversion to positive Hepatitis C PCR. Outcomes examined include median creatinine, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), liver function tests, recipient Hepatitis C seroconversion, concomitant Ebstein Barr virus (EBV), Cytomegalovirus (CMV) or polyoma hominis (BK) activation, morbidities and mortality. Result(s) Six transplants (of 15 total kidney transplants) from Hepatitis C NAT positive donors were performed in the first year of establishment. Male to female ratio was 21 and median patient age was 55.7 years (Range 42-73 years). Median follow-up was 10 months (Range 2-12 months). Diabetes and hypertensive nephrosclerosis were the most common causes of end stage renal disease at 40%. The average time on dialysis was 2.9 years (Range 1-6 years), the most common type being hemodialysis (67%) followed by peritoneal dialysis (33%). Average time on transplant waitlist was 5.57 months (Range 1.2-13.2 months). All patients seroconverted but with treatment, by 24 weeks all patients maintained undetectable viral loads. Patient survival rate was 83% with a death censored graft survival rate of 100%. One patient died due to respiratory failure from COVID-19 infection. Median creatinine and GFr were 1.96 mg/dL (Range 1.8 - 2.6 mg/dL) and 41.3 (Range 35.3 - 50) respectively. One case each of acute antibody and T cell mediated rejection was seen (6.7%), which were treated successfully. CMV, BK and EBV virus reactivation were seen in one patient each (6.7%). The most common complication was COVID-19 infection (50%) followed by neutropenia (33%). Conclusion(s) With the development of direct-acting antiviral agents offering complete cure of Hepatitis C, kidneys from Hepatitis C positive donors can be used for transplantation with excellent outcomes.