Associations between donor-derived cell-free DNA dynamics and clinical outcomes after kidney allograft rejection: A prospective, multicenter study.

Active rejection (AR) remains a major risk factor for graft dysfunction and loss. Donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) is a dynamic, noninvasive biomarker for AR. We hypothesized that dd-cfDNA monitoring post-rejection may enable physicians to stratify patients into those with more and less favorable prognoses.

Severe Non-Donor-Derived Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus Infection in 2 Solid Organ Transplant Recipients.

Background: Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection in immunocompromised hosts can result in disseminated disease, meningoencephalitis, and death. Published cases in transplant recipients have been traced to transmission from infected donors. We report 2 cases of serious, non-donor-derived LCMV infection in solid organ transplant recipients.

Do Factors Influencing Acceptance of Kidney Stone Formers as Donors Predict Subsequent Stone Events?

Purpose: This study aimed to assess whether kidney stone burden and risk factors at the time of kidney donor evaluation were associated with a symptomatic stone event post-donor evaluation.

Methods: We identified adults evaluated at Mayo Clinic (two sites) (2000-2011) for living kidney donation and had either a personal history or radiological evidence of kidney stone disease. We analyzed demographics, stone risk factors, stone number/size, and the committee's donation decision and reasons.

Direct Correlation of Soluble HLA and HLA-Containing Exosomes and Inverse Correlation of Tolerance Marker-Containing Exosomes With Antibody-Mediated Rejection After Simultaneous Liver-Kidney Transplantation: A Case Study.

There is a lower incidence of antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) after simultaneous liver-kidney transplantation (SLKT) than after kidney-only transplantation. It has been suggested that soluble human leukocyte antigen (sHLA) produced by the liver protects the kidney from AMR. However, this hypothesis has not been tested after SLKT.

Impact of Pregnancy on GFR Decline and Kidney Histology in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Introduction: Women with advanced kidney disease are advised to wait until after transplant to pursue pregnancy, but the impact of pregnancy on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline and kidney histology is unclear.

Methods: We identified a cohort of women aged 18 to 44 years at transplant from 1996 to 2014 at our 3-site program ( = 816) and determined whether they had a pregnancy >20 weeks gestation post-transplant by chart review. Outcomes included rate of change in eGFR after pregnancy, changes in kidney histology before and after pregnancy, graft failure, and 50% reduction in eGFR.

Successful outcomes with transplanting kidneys from deceased donors with acute kidney injuryon temporary renal replacement therapy.

Background And Objectives: We aimed to determine outcomes with transplanting kidneys from deceased donors with severe acute kidney injury requiring acute renal replacement therapy (RRT).

Materials And Methods: A total of 172 recipients received a kidney from donors with acute kidney injury stage 3 (AKIN3) requiring RRT. We compared the study group to 528 recipients who received a kidney from donors with AKIN stage 3 not on RRT and 463 recipients who received < 85% Kidney Donor Profile Index (KDPI) AKIN stage 0 kidney.

Overcoming Mismatch Concerns for Adult Recipients of Small Pediatric Deceased Donor Kidneys.

Background: Kidneys from very young pediatric donors continue to be underutilized. To reduce discard, the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) policy was recently updated to allow kidneys from donors weighing <18 kg to be recovered en bloc.

Methods: We reviewed our center's experience with kidney transplantation in adult recipients of <18 kg pediatric donor kidneys to assess renal function outcomes specific to solitary vs en bloc usage.

Managing highly sensitized renal transplant candidates in the era of kidney paired donation and the new kidney allocation system: Is there still a role for desensitization?

Kidney paired donation (KPD) and the new kidney allocation system (KAS) in the United States have led to improved transplantation rates for highly sensitized candidates. We aimed to assess the potential need for other approaches to improve the transplantation rate of highly sensitized candidates such as desensitization. Using the UNOS STAR file, we analyzed transplant rates in a prevalent active waiting-list cohort as of June 1, 2016, followed for 1 year.

Transplanting kidneys from donation after cardiac death donors with acute kidney injury.

Donation after cardiac death (DCD) and acute kidney injury (AKI) donors have historically been considered independent risk factors for delayed graft function (DGF), allograft failure, and inferior outcomes. With growing experience, updated analyses have shown good outcomes. There continues to be limited data, however, on outcomes specific to DCD donors who have AKI.

Ten Years of Kidney Paired Donation at Mayo Clinic: The Benefits of Incorporating ABO/HLA Compatible Pairs.

Background: We examined the 10-year experience of Mayo Clinic's kidney paired donation (KPD).We aimed to determine the benefits for the recipients of enrolled ABO/HLA compatible pairs and determine the factors associated with prolonged KPD waiting time.

Methods: We performed a retrospective study of 332 kidney transplants facilitated by the Mayo 3-site KPD program from September 2007 to June 2018.

Long-term Outcomes Following Kidney Transplantation From Donors With Acute Kidney Injury.

Background: Kidneys from deceased donors with acute kidney injury (AKI) are more likely to be discarded because of concerns for poor outcomes after transplantation. The aim of this study was to determine the long-term outcomes of a large cohort of patients transplanted utilizing kidneys from deceased donors with AKI.

Methods: All patients receiving a deceased donor kidney transplant during a recent 10-year period were included.

Cardiorespiratory Fitness (Peak Oxygen Uptake): Safe and Effective Measure for Cardiovascular Screening Before Kidney Transplant.

Background: Significant heterogeneity exists in practice patterns and algorithms used for cardiac screening before kidney transplant. Cardiorespiratory fitness, as measured by peak oxygen uptake (VO), is an established validated predictor of future cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in both healthy and diseased populations. The literature supports its use among asymptomatic patients in abrogating the need for further cardiac testing.

Glucose homeostasis after simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation: a comparison of subjects with C-peptide-positive non-type 1 diabetes mellitus and type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Background: While simultaneous pancreas kidney transplant (SPKTx) is a therapeutic option for patients with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) and renal failure, few centers offer SPKTx to "select" non-T1DM patients. To address concerns that existing insulin resistance may limit the benefits of the pancreas allograft among non-T1DM, we compared several indices of glucose homeostasis, in "select" non-T1DM and T1DM patients who received SPKTx.

Methods: Criteria for "select" non-T1DM included the following: positive C-peptide, BMI <30 kg/m(2) , treatment with oral agents before insulin initiation, and insulin at <1 unit/kg/d.

Assessing the efficacy of kidney paired donation--performance of an integrated three-site program.

Background: Kidney paired donation (KPD) has emerged as a viable option for renal transplant candidates with incompatible living donors. The aim of this study was to assess the "performance" of a three-site KPD program that allowed screening of multiple donors per recipient.

Methods: We reviewed retrospectively the activity of our KPD program involving three centers under the same institutional umbrella.

Kidney Transplant Program at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona.

Since 1999, we have performed 2,302 kidney transplants at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona. Transplant volume has increased by 45% since 2010. Our center performed 269 kidney transplants in 2013.

Delayed allograft inflammation following alemtuzumab induction for kidney transplantation.

Background: In a recent clinical trial in kidney transplant recipients, induction with alemtuzumab and rabbit-antithymocyte globulin (r-ATG) was equally effective in preventing rejection during the first post-transplant year; however, this study did not include protocol biopsies.

Methods: The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of alemtuzumab induction on rejection and subclinical inflammation during the first post-transplant year compared with a historic control group receiving induction with r-ATG. All patients received tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF).

Desensitization in the era of kidney paired donation: the Mayo Foundation 3-site experience.

Sensitized renal allograft candidates face significant barriers to transplantation. While several options exist, including: kidney paired donation (KPD), desensitization, or pursuing a deceased donor kidney transplant, it is unclear from existing data what is the appropriate protocol for an individual patient. In this study, we seek to devise a balance between waiting for a paired donor and combining desensitization with KPD.

Transplant tourism: a modern iteration of an ancient problem.

Purpose Of Review: To explore the scope and implications of emerging global problem of transplant tourism, a practice in which patients seek transplant services (most commonly kidney allografts) in countries other than their permanent residence. Potential remedies that must be implemented if abuses are to be curbed are also offered.

Recent Findings: Although traveling abroad for medical services may not be problematic from a number of perspectives, what makes transplant tourism so troubling is its link with organ trafficking and transplant commercialism.