Outcomes of Transplantation of Single Kidneys From Pediatric Donors Into Adult Recipients.

Background Organs from extreme ages have been sought after to help increase the donor pool and alleviate transplantation wait times. There has been a growing evolution of the use of pediatric donor kidneys, including the use of en bloc kidneys (EBK), to now separating them into single kidneys (SKT), allowing for transplantation of two recipients. This study reports our outcomes utilizing SKT. Methods A retrospective review of all SKT performed from 2014 to 2022 at our center was conducted. Donors >8 years of age or >25 kg in weight were excluded. Donor and recipient characteristics and outcomes were analyzed, comparing <18 kg and ≥18 kg donor cohorts. Results Between 2014 and 2022, 81 adults received SKT. Recipients' mean age, weight, and body mass index were 49 years (22-74), 74 kg (39-136), and 26.4 mg/m2 (19.6- 39.8), respectively. Donors' mean age, weight, and kidney size were 35.7 months (8-96), 17.8 kg (8-25), and 7.2 cm (4.5-8.5), respectively. At one year post-transplant, patient survival was 100%, graft survival was 98.7%, mean serum creatinine was 1.25 mg/dL, and mean glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was 68.3 ml/min. Hyperfiltration injury was seen in 43.75% of recipients. None of the outcomes correlated with any of the donor or recipient characteristics. Conclusion Our study shows excellent short-term outcomes of single pediatric kidney transplantation in adult recipients. Exploring a lower donor weight cut-off for SKT, compared to the current Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network's (OPTN's) ≥18 kg, could expand the organ pool and lead to an increased number of transplants.

"Pre-Histologic" Antibody-Mediated Rejection Detected by Donor-Derived Cell-Free DNA and a Novel Tissue Gene Expression Assay: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Despite its well-characterized association with poor long-term graft outcomes, subclinical antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) in recipients of kidney transplants continues to pose a significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Specifically, its detection currently relies on invasive histologic surveillance, a relatively uncommon practice among US transplant centers. We describe a subclinical, "pre-histologic" antibody-mediated rejection identified and characterized by a combination of novel molecular tools, donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA), and molecular histology. CASE REPORT: A 67-year-old kidney transplant recipient was found to have a marked elevation of dd-cfDNA on routine testing at 3 months post-transplant; other laboratory parameters were stable. A biopsy was performed, demonstrating the absence of rejection by traditional histology, but evidence of rejection was seen when tissue was evaluated using a research use molecular histology assay. Four months later, in the setting of persistently elevated dd-cfDNA, the patient developed graft dysfunction and was found to have C4d-negative ABMR, which was treated with improvement in both graft function and dd-cfDNA. CONCLUSION: This case highlighted the complementary use of dd-cfDNA and molecular histology to aid in the early detection and characterization of graft injury. Hybrid approaches combining these tools may allow more expeditious therapeutic intervention, leading to improved graft and patient outcomes.

The Art and Science of Kidney Transplant Offer Evaluation.

Currently, there are more than 100,000 patients on the transplant waitlist in the United States. There exists a significant gap between the supply and demand for kidney transplants. Despite this, about a quarter of kidneys recovered from deceased donors are not being utilized. There is a significant variation in kidney acceptance criteria by transplant centers. The current kidney allocation system allows transplant centers to place kidneys into appropriate recipients who may not be at the top of the list to increase organ utilization. A recent study questioned this practice of "list diving." In this editorial, we seek to support "list diving" through a discussion of the various factors a transplant center could take into consideration while evaluating organ offers.

Induction Immunosuppressive Therapy for Kidney Transplant in Elderly Recipients: A Single-Center Experience.

OBJECTIVES: The number of elderly kidney transplant recipients is increasing, and age-tailored induction immunosuppression regimens are needed. We compared safety and efficacy of basiliximab versus thymoglobulin at various dosages. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of 590 kidney transplants at our center from 2012 to 2019, 119 (20.1%) were for recipients over 65 years of age; 118 patients received deceased donor kidneys, and 1 received a related living donor kidney. We retrospectively reviewed medical records for demographics, baseline characteristics, donor characteristics, induction regimens, infectious complications, graft function, and patient survival. RESULTS: Patients were subdivided into the following 4 induction immunosuppression groups: basiliximab (n = 15, 12.6%), 3 mg/kg thymoglobulin (n = 8, 6.7%), 4.5 mg/kg thymoglobulin (n = 67, 56.3%), and 6 mg/kg thymoglobulin (n = 29, 24.4%). All patients received pulse doses of methylprednisolone followed by a prednisone taper. Other maintenance immunosuppression agents included tacrolimus and mycophenolic acid. Recipients in the basiliximab and 3 mg/kg thymoglobulin groups were older (median age ⟩70 years; P ⟨ .001). The 4.5 and 6 mg/kg thymoglobulin groups had higher proportions of African American patients and patients with calculated panel reactive antibody over 20%. There were significantly fewer infectious complications in the basiliximab and 3 mg/kg thymoglobulin groups. Despite differences in biopsy-proven acute rejection rates, estimated glomerular filtration rate and graft and patient survival rates at 1 year were similar across groups. All patients with biopsy-proven acute rejection were African American patients. CONCLUSIONS: Kidney transplant in patients ≥65 years is safe and feasible. Changes in this unique population's immune system warrant age-tailored regimens. We found that patients at low immunologic risk would benefit from basiliximab orthymoglobulin at 3 mg/kg. Regardless of calculated panel reactive antibodies, African American patients should be considered as high immunologic risk group forrejection, and higher thymoglobulin dosing should be considered.

Outcomes of COVID-19 in hospitalized solid organ transplant recipients compared to a matched cohort of non-transplant patients at a national healthcare system in the United States.

Data describing outcomes of solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are variable, and the association between SOT status and mortality remains unclear. In this study, we compare clinical outcomes of SOT recipients hospitalized with COVID-19 between March 10, and September 1, 2020, to a matched cohort of non-SOT recipients at a national healthcare system in the United States (US). From a population of 43 461 hospitalized COVID-19-positive patients, we created a coarsened exact matched cohort of 4035 patients including 128 SOT recipients and 3907 weighted matched non-SOT controls. Multiple logistic regression was used to evaluate association between SOT status and clinical outcomes. Among the 4035 patients, median age was 60 years, 61.7% were male, 21.9% were Black/African American, and 50.8% identified as Hispanic/Latino ethnicity. Patients with a history of SOT were more likely to die within the study period when compared to matched non-SOT recipients (21.9% and 14.9%, respectively; odds ratio [OR] 1.93; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.18-3.15). Moreover, SOT status was associated with increased odds of receiving invasive mechanical ventilation (OR [95% CI]: 2.34 [1.51-3.65]), developing acute kidney injury (OR [95% CI]: 2.41 [1.59-3.65]), and receiving vasopressor support during hospitalization (OR [95% CI]: 2.14 [1.31-3.48]).

A significant proportion of venous thromboembolism events in general surgical patients occurs after discharge: analysis of the ACS-NSQIP Essentials database.

BACKGROUND: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in general surgical patients. METHODS: The ACS-NSQIP database was queried and VTE data were collected and analyzed to assess the incidence of VTE at a 500-bed, non-profit, teaching, inner city, community hospital and similar peer institutions from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2011. RESULTS: Post-discharge VTE events accounted for 40% of all VTE events within 30 days of discharge. Data show a significant proportion of post-discharge VTE events that may be preventable with extending VTE prophylaxis in the post-discharge period. CONCLUSION: This is the first paper to report on this high post-discharge incidence of VTE in general surgical patients and to recommend continuation of VTE prophylaxis in the post-discharge period.

Direct-Acting Antiviral Prophylaxis in Kidney Transplantation From Hepatitis C Virus-Infected Donors to Noninfected Recipients: An Open-Label Nonrandomized Trial.

Background: Given the high mortality rate for patients with end-stage kidney disease receiving dialysis and the efficacy and safety of hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatments, discarded kidneys from HCV-infected donors may be a neglected public health resource. Objective: To determine the tolerability and feasibility of using direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) as prophylaxis before and after kidney transplantation from HCV-infected donors to non-HCV-infected recipients (that is, HCV D+/R- transplantation). Design: Open-label nonrandomized trial. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02781649). Setting: Single center. Participants: 10 HCV D+/R- kidney transplant candidates older than 50 years with no available living donors. Intervention: Transplantation of kidneys from deceased donors aged 13 to 50 years with positive HCV RNA and HCV antibody test results. All recipients received a dose of grazoprevir (GZR), 100 mg, and elbasvir (EBR), 50 mg, immediately before transplantation. Recipients of kidneys from donors with genotype 1 infection continued receiving GZR-EBR for 12 weeks after transplantation; those receiving organs from donors with genotype 2 or 3 infection had sofosbuvir, 400 mg, added to GZR-EBR for 12 weeks of triple therapy. Measurements: The primary safety outcome was the incidence of adverse events related to GZR-EBR treatment. The primary efficacy outcome was the proportion of recipients with an HCV RNA level below the lower limit of quantification 12 weeks after prophylaxis. Results: Among 10 HCV D+/R- transplant recipients, no treatment-related adverse events occurred, and HCV RNA was not detected in any recipient 12 weeks after treatment. Limitation: Nonrandomized study design and a small number of patients. Conclusion: Pre- and posttransplantation HCV treatment was safe and prevented chronic HCV infection in HCV D+/R- kidney transplant recipients. If confirmed in larger studies, this strategy should markedly expand organ options and reduce mortality for kidney transplant candidates without HCV infection. Primary Funding Source: Merck Sharp & Dohme.

Laparoscopic Management of Acute Pancreatitis Secondary to Rapunzel Syndrome.

A 17-year-old girl presented with bilious vomiting and abdominal pain to the surgery department. The history was positive for trichotillomania and trichophagia. A CT scan showed a mass in the stomach, which was highly suspicious for a gastric bezoar. Drooping parts of the bezoar caused a duodenal obstruction with secondary acute pancreatitis. The bezoar was removed via a laparoscopically performed gastrotomy.