Evaluation of Epstein-Barr virus load in saliva before and after renal transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) arising in solid organ transplant patients show a strong correlation with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. The aim of our study was to evaluate the frequency of EBV DNA levels before and after transplantation among saliva samples of Iranian kidney transplant patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 40 kidney transplant recipients and their healthy donors, we evaluated the EBV DNA levels in saliva samples by quantitative polymerase chain reaction method using samples obtained 1 hour before transplantation surgery. In addition, 3 months after transplantation we evaluated EBV DNA levels in recipients for comparison with preoperative levels. Exclusion criteria included hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and human T-cell leukemia virus infections before transplantation as well as HIV-positive patients under highly active antiretroviral therapy, graft rejection requiring dialysis and active viral infection of oral cavity. RESULTS: Before renal transplantation, there was no significant difference in saliva EBV DNA levels between kidney donor and recipient patients (P=.8). The levels increased significantly to 67.6% in the recipient group after transplantation (P=.01). CONCLUSION: We observed that EBV was more frequently present in the oral mucosa after renal transplantation. Thus, we can follow these patients for EBV infection using saliva examinations as a simple screening method.

Could prophylactic monoclonal antibody improve kidney graft survival?

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to evaluate the impact of daclizumab monoclonal antibody on early and late kidney graft survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2007 to 2008, 57 kidney transplant recipients were followed for a mean of 9.3 months. Twenty-three patients received 1 mg/kg daclizumab 24 hours before and 14 days after transplantation. In contrast, 34 patients (controls) did not receive daclizumab. The same immunosuppressive protocol was administered to all participants: oral prednisolone, mycophenolate mofetil, and cyclosporine. Delayed graft function (DGF), acute rejection, prednisolone pulses and/or antithymoglobulin (ATG), cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, urinary tract infection (UTI), as well as early and late graft function were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The mean age in cases and controls was 39.7 and 37.1 years, respectively. The occurrence of DGF was 4% versus 3%; reversible acute rejection, 16% versus 14.5%, and irreversible acute rejection 0% versus 9% (P < .05) for treated versus control groups, respectively. ATG was used in 21% versus 23%, and pulse prednisolone 26% versus 20%, respectively. In case and control groups, the mean creatinine levels were 1.4 mg/dL versus 1.35 mg/dL at discharge. At last follow-up, it was 1.35 mg/dL versus 1.2 mg/dL, respectively. CMV infection occurred in 30% versus 35%, and UTI in 17% versus 19% of treated versus controls, respectively. CONCLUSION: The prophylactic administration of daclizumab improved early graft survival and prevented irreversible acute rejection.

Role of resistive index measurement in diagnosis of acute rejection episodes following successful kidney transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to evaluate the role of resistive index (RI) in the diagnosis of rejection episodes following successful kidney transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and one unrelated living first kidney allograft adult recipients (75 males and 26 females) of overall mean age of 39 years were enrolled and prospectively followed for 6 months. The measurement of RI by Doppler ultrasonography was performed in all patients on days 3 and 7 as well as at months 1, 3, and 6 in addition to when there was graft dysfunction. We determined serum creatinine and cyclosporine levels. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients (26.7%) experienced 33 acute rejection episodes during the follow-up. There were significant differences between mean RI among patients with normal function vs rejection: 0.606 +/- 0.065 vs 0.866 +/- 0.083 (P < .05), respectively. Overall, elevated levels of cyclosporine, ischemic acute tubular necrosis (ATN), and renal artery thrombosis were observed in 8, 5, and 3 patients, respectively. No association was observed between these factors and RI. CONCLUSIONS: RI was significantly higher in patients with acute rejection episodes. It had no association with ATN or cyclosporine toxicity. Hence, RI may be useful to diagnose acute renal allograft rejection following renal transplantation.