Probability of deceased donor kidney transplantation based on % PRA.

UNLABELLED: Sensitization to HLA antigens creates an obstacle for the accessibility and success of kidney transplantation (KT). Highly sensitized patients have longer waiting times and some may never receive a KT. AIM: To determine the probability of patients on the deceased donor (DD) waiting list to receive a KT based on the panel reactive antibody percentage (% PRA) in our center. METHODS: The DD waiting list from our institution was analyzed from 01/05 to 08/12 documenting the clinical variables from donor and potential recipients (ABO blood group), lymphocyte cross-match [CxM (CDC-AHG)] results, highest % PRA determination, and time on the waiting list. The patients were classified into 4 groups based on the % PRA: 0%, 1-19%, 20-79% and 80-100%. The data was analyzed using odds ratio and logistic regression (significant p<0.05). RESULTS: 58 DD (F:M 34:24, ABO group O=35, A=13, B=10) and 179 potential recipients were analyzed (F:M 98:81, ABO group O=127, A=33, B=19, participating 4.2 ± 3.8 times with different donors to receive KT). The mean PRA for the whole group was 22 ± 32%, median [md] 0 (0-98). A total of 100 patients received KT (mean waiting time 2.2 ± 1.7 years, 12 days-7 years) and their mean % PRA was 11.6 ± 24, md 0 (0-94) vs. 31.4 ± 37 md 8.5 (0-98) in those who have not received a KT. An association between the % PRA group and KT (p<0.003) was observed. The probability of receiving KT with a 0% PRA vs. >0% was higher (OR 2.12, 1.17-3.84). There was no difference between the 0% vs. 1-19% group (OR 1); differences were observed between 0% vs. 20-79% (OR 2.5, 1.18-5.3) and 0% vs. 80-100% (OR 5, 1.67-14.9). For every percent increase in the PRA above 20%, the risk of not receiving a KT increased by 5% (1-9, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The probability of receiving a DD kidney transplant is inversely related to the % PRA although a higher risk for not receiving a KT becomes evident with a PRA >20%.

Fever, haematuria, and acute graft dysfunction in renal transplant recipients secondary to adenovirus infection: two case reports.

We report two cases of adenoviral infection in kidney transplant recipients that presented with different clinical characteristics under similar demographic and posttransplant conditions. The first case presented with fever, gross haematuria, and acute graft dysfunction 15 days following renal transplantation. A graft biopsy, analyzed with immunohistochemistry, yielded negative results. However, the diagnosis was confirmed with blood and urine real-time PCR for adenovirus 3 days after the initial clinical manifestations. The immunosuppression dose was reduced, and ribavirin treatment was started, for which the patient quickly developed toxicity. Antiviral treatment allowed for transient response; however, a relapse occurred. The viral real-time PCR became negative upon immunosuppression reduction and administration of IVIG; graft function normalized. In the second case, the patient presented with fever and dysuria 1 month after transplantation. The initial imaging studies revealed graft enlargement and areas of hypoperfusion. In this case, the diagnosis was also confirmed with blood and urine real-time PCR for adenovirus 3 days after the initial clinical manifestations. Adenoviral nephritis was confirmed through a graft biopsy analyzed with light microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and PCR in frozen tissue. The immunosuppression dose was reduced, and IVIG was administered obtaining excellent clinical results along with a negative real-time PCR.

Association of the metabolic syndrome and long-term renal function in kidney donors.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) may represent risk factor for long-term renal function of kidneys from living donors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of MetS on renal function in donors. METHODS: Data regarding the presence or absence of MetS and renal function, as assessed by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were obtained from 140 kidney donors before nephrectomy (BN) and at follow-up (AF). Donors were divided into those with (group 1; n =28) versus without MetS (group 2; n = 112). RESULTS: Comparing the groups, we observed a significantly greater reduction in eGFR among the group with MetS BN versus AF 27.5% (19.3-33.0) versus 21.4% (9.6-34.1 P = .02) respectively using a Cox regression model, including age, gender, serum uric acid, body mass index (BMI), and basal eGFR, MetS BN (hazard ratio = 2.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21-4.01; p = .01) was an independent factor associated with a greater risk of a-eGFR <70 mL/min/1.73 m(2) at follow-up (P < .001). Additionally, age (hazard ratio = 1.03%; 95% CI, 1.01-1.06; P < .001), and female gender (hazard ratio = 1.86; 95% CI, 1.03-3.36; P = .03) were associated with a greater decrease in eGFR. Individuals with MetS BN showed a GFR <70 mL/min/1.73 m(2) at significantly shorter follow-up time (5.6 ± 0.8 years) versus persons without MetS (12.8 ± 1.0 years; P = .001) CONCLUSION: Kidney donors with MetS BN experiment a significantly greater decrease in eGFR at follow-up.

Time of occurrence of kidney acute antibody-mediated allograft rejection/acute cellular rejection and cell senescence: implications for function outcome.

BACKGROUND: Late versus early acute antibody-mediated rejection (AAMR) or acute cellular rejection (ACR) episodes are associated with poorer kidney function and graft survival. We explored whether cell senescence upon detection of AAMR ± ACR contributes to these results. METHODS: We reviewed the renal transplant database of 2 Institutions. Biopsies performed for acute graft dysfunction from January 2000 to March 2007 were analyzed for morphological criteria of AAMR with or without ACR (n = 17 from 17 patients). Immunoperoxidase staining for p16(INK4B) was performed on the remaining paraffin-embedded tissue in 9 of 17 cases. The average number of positive cells/high power field (HPF) was calculated in every case. Cases with rejection were grouped according to the time of presentation: early (<3 months n = 8) versus late (>3 months; n = 9). Graft function was obtained using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (mDRD) glomerular filtration rate estimate (eGFR) before, during rejection, and at the last visit, to calculate ΔeGFR. RESULTS: Nuclear expression of p16(INK4B) was 12.2 ± 11.3 cells/HPF in 4 of 8 biopsies performed at a median of 23 (range = 4-80) days (early AAMR ± ACR), and 59.8 ± 51.3 cells/HPF in 5 of 9 biopsies performed at a median of 1171 (range = 279-3210) days (late AAMR ± ACR). eGFR before rejection was 48.5 ± 7.6 mL/min, and 43.7 ± 4.3 mL/min for early and late rejection episodes, respectively (P = not significant [NS]). ΔeGFR of 12.5 ± 25.9 mL/min (early rejection), and -13.7 ± -12.3 mL/min (late rejection), versus last follow-up visit (P = .02) occurred at a median of 143.9 ± 94.1 and 69.6 ± 35.1 weeks after the rejection episodes, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Even though the number of biopsies analyzed for p16(INK4a) was small, it was evident that the number of cells expressing this marker of senescence was higher among biopsy specimens obtained with late rejection episodes. This finding suggests the presence of injuries prior to the rejection episode. The significantly lower eGFR at last follow-up in the late rejection group may translate to a reduced capacity of the repair process to sustain nephron function.

Renal grafts with multiple arteries: a relative contraindication for a renal transplant?

INTRODUCTION: Advances in surgical techniques had achieved good outcomes in renal transplantation. There has been controversy with respect to the impact of multiple arteries on the outcome of the renal transplantations. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to examine the renal function and incidence of complications among grafts with one versus two or more arteries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 86 patients with renal transplantations between January 2006 and January 2008 as a retrospective comparative study. The patients were stratified according to the number of renal graft arteries: group 1 had one artery (n = 66); group 2, two or more arteries (n = 16). RESULTS: The warm ischemia time was shorter among group 1 compared with group 2 (P < .03). There were significant differences between the groups with respect to mean blood pressure at 1 year (P < .04). The kidney biopsies after 1-year follow-up did not show any difference. CONCLUSION: We considered that the presence of anatomic variations was not a contraindication for renal transplantation, but that it is necessary to continue our follow-up to determine the real impact of these variations on graft and patient survivals.

Role of major histocompatibility complex and ethnicity in acute renal graft rejection.

BACKGROUND: The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) plays a main role in antigen presentation. Class I, II, and III genes form defined "blocks" of conserved DNA sequences (conserved extended haplotypes) that are useful to follow the ancestry of a population. Each variant encodes a specific peptide that determines a particular individual's immune response. In addition, differential expression of HLA antigens in certain physiological and pathological conditions may participate in the pathogenesis of allograft rejection versus tolerance. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine whether the specific HLA ancestry was associated with acute renal graft rejection among the Mexican mestizo population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 544 Mexican mestizo renal donors and their respective recipients for their serologically determined HLA and based on antigens haplotype assignments. The acute rejection group was compared with the nonrejection group among donors and recipients, correspondingly. RESULTS: Frequent Mexican alleles were observed in this study. Moreover, HLA-B*61/-DR*04, HLA-A*35/-DR*06 (Amerindian ancestry), HLA-A*68/-DR*01, HLA-A*28/-B*65/-DR*01 (African ancestry), and HLA-A*33/-B*65 (Caucasian ancestry) in donors were associated with acute renal graft rejection episodes. CONCLUSION: Knowing the ancestry of a donor's HLA molecules may help to individualize immunosuppressive therapy for posttransplant surveillance, because they may be more membrane-exposed in parenchymal cells, making them more susceptible of being recognized by the recipient's immune system.

Parameters of Doppler ultrasound at five days posttransplantation as predictors of histology and renal function at one year.

INTRODUCTION: In our center, a Doppler ultrasound (DU) is performed at 5 days after transplantation. The normal upper limit of flow velocity (FV) in the renal artery is 200-250 cm/s. The resistance index (RI) is considered elevated when >0.8. Elevation of the RI can be shown in all the forms of graft dysfunction. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the capacity of the DU to predict the prognosis of graft function and histological damage at 1 year. METHODS: We examined a retrospective cohort of patients undergoing renal transplantation between January 2004 and May 2007. The renal function was evaluated with serum creatinine measurements and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimates by the quadratic Modification of Diet in Renal Disease study equation. The biopsy specimen was evaluated according to the Banff 1997 classification. RESULTS: The overall average age was 35 years, and 58% of the subjects were men. Eight cases (25.8%) showed abnormal DU. The Delta among those with normal DU was -0.94 versus 0.27 +/- 0.39 with abnormal DU (P < .005). There was no significance as far as the biopsy at 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: Renal DU allows physicians to suspect complications at the first posttransplantation year. It shows a tendency to elevated blood pressure, as well as increased deterioration of renal function over the first year.