Impact of pretransplant human leukocyte antigen-C and -DP antibodies on kidney graft outcome.

The aim of our study was to determine whether the presence of specific human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-C and -DP antibodies before transplantation influenced graft outcomes in immunized recipients. Two groups of pretransplant immunized recipients were studied: patients with only classical HLA-A, -B, -DR, -DQ antibodies (n = 176) and those with classical plus HLA-C and/or -DP antibodies (n = 27). Acute antibody-mediated rejection was preferentially associated with the presence of pretransplant anti-HLA-C and -DP antibodies (5/6 cases). In four cases, acute rejection episodes were followed by graft loss within 15 months after transplantation. There was a significant increase in the number of acute rejection episodes especially antibody-mediated acute rejections (P = .036) and in the number of graft losses for immunologic reasons (P < .001) among the group with pretransplant anti-C and -DP antibodies. Pretransplant anti-DP antibodies seemed to be involved more frequently in poor graft outcomes as shown in several recent published cases. We need to investigate their specific role among a larger cohort, taking into account an epitope analysis.

[Pandemic influenza: training in the Nîmes university hospital]. / Evaluation de la préparation à une pandémie grippale par un exercice de terrain au centre hospitalier universitaire de Nîmes.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to test the application of barrier precautions and hospital organization during an influenza pandemic, in accordance with the national program of influenza pandemic training and the "Influenza addendum" of the hospital guidelines in case of a major disaster. METHOD: A practical exercise was performed on December 18th 2007 in two areas of high viral density and one of low viral density. This exercise involved all the people in these areas, without disturbing the normal care activity. RESULTS: Two hundred and forty-five people were evaluated. Seventy-five per cent of whom had been trained in the hospital. Hand hygiene complied with pre-established procedures in 32% of cases, was acceptable in 44%, and deficient in 24%. Surgical mask application was unacceptable in 21% of cases. These precautions were well accepted by 36% of the personnel, accepted by 54%, and a burden for 10%. The poor sealing capacity of mask FFP2 (national allocation), depending on facial features, its poor tolerance, the lack of water stations, and the presence of groups of people were all noted. CONCLUSION: This exercise was rated as satisfactory with a good participation. However, it revealed unexpected dysfunctions such as application of barrier precautions. Also, that the FFP2 mask was not suitable for all people, especially for children, a problem in case of a pandemic. Finally, this exercise should lead to corrective actions and to completing the various training sessions initiated in other institutions.

High pretransplantation soluble CD30 levels: impact in renal transplantation.

In a retrospective study, the impact of the level of pretransplantation soluble CD30 molecule (sCD30) was evaluated on 3 year transplant survival, as well as the number and grade of acute rejection episodes among kidney recipients engrafted between 2000 and 2002. One hundred and ninety sera of 190 patients sampled on the cross-match day were tested for sCD30 concentrations using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit (Biotest). For the analysis, a sCD30 cutoff level of 100 U/mL was chosen: 87 (46%) recipients had a level >100, and 103 (54%) <100. All cases (5) of immunological graft loss showed a high sCD30 level. The rate of biopsy-proven acute rejection was 26% in the sCD30 >100 group versus 22% in the sCD30 <100 groups. Among the first graft population (n = 157), the rate was 27% for sCD30 >100 versus 20% for the lower level. The difference was more important for grade II acute rejection (Banff criteria): 6/87 (7%) showed high sCD30 versus 2/103 (2%) with sCD30 <100. This analysis became significant for anti-HLA immunization: 11 (13%) recipients developed anti-HLA class II antibodies in the first group (sCD30 >100) versus 1 (1%) in the second group (sCD30 <100; P < .01). A high pretransplantation sCD30 was not a significant risk factor for an acute rejection episode, but it seemed to be more predictive for antibody-mediated acute rejection and immunological graft loss. However, many recipients showed an increased pretransplantation concentration without any rejection episode or graft loss. Consequently, sCD30 pregraft measurements cannot be used as a predictor for acute kidney rejection among our transplant center, nor as an aid to adapt the immunosuppressive regimen.