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Objective: To describe the outcomes of kidney transplant (KT) candidates with obesity undergoing sleeve gastrectomy (SG) to meet the criteria for KT., Methods: Retrospective analysis was conducted of electronic medical records of KT candidates with obesity (body mass index >35 kg/m 2 ) who underwent SG in our institution. Weight loss, adverse health events, and the listing and transplant rates were abstracted and compared with the nonsurgical cohort., Results: The SG was performed in 54 patients; 50 patients did not have surgery. Baseline demographic characteristics were comparable at the time of evaluation. Mean body mass index ± SD of the SG group was 41.7±3.6 kg/m 2 at baseline (vs 41.5±4.3 kg/m 2 for nonsurgical controls); at 2 and 12 months after SG, it was 36.4±4.1 kg/m 2 and 32.6±4.0 kg/m 2 (P<.01 for both). In the median follow-up time of 15.5 months (interquartile range, 6.4 to 23.9 months), SG was followed by active listing (37/54 people), and 20 of 54 received KT during a median follow-up time of 20.9 months (interquartile range, 14.7 to 28.3 months) after SG. In contrast, 14 of 50 patients in the nonsurgical cohort were listed, and 5 received a KT (P<.01). Three patients (5.6%) experienced surgical complications. There was no difference in overall hospitalization rates and adverse health outcomes, but the SG cohort experienced a higher risk of clinically significant functional decline., Conclusion: In KT candidates with obesity, SG appears to be effective, with 37% of patients undergoing KT during the next 18 months (P<.01). Further research is needed to confirm and to improve the safety and efficacy of SG for patients with obesity seeking a KT., (Copyright © 2024 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Bariatric surgery is increasingly recognized as a safe and effective treatment for obesity in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), including stages 4, 5, and 5D (on dialysis). Among the available surgical methods, sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is the most commonly performed weight loss procedure and is mainly done to facilitate kidney transplantation (KT). However, many KT candidates treated with SG remain on the transplant waiting list for months to years, with some never receiving a transplant. Therefore, appropriate candidates for SG must be selected, and post-SG management should address the unique needs of this population, with a focus on sustaining the metabolic benefits of surgery while minimizing potential side effects related to rapid weight loss which may inadvertently lead to muscle and bone catabolism. Multidisciplinary post-SG care in this population may lead to overall better health on the transplant waiting list, resulting in a higher percentage of post-SG patients ultimately receiving KT. To tailor the effective treatment for these patients, clinicians should acknowledge that patients with CKD stage 4-5D have different nutritional needs and are metabolically and psychosocially distinct from the general bariatric surgery population. Sarcopenia is highly prevalent and may be exacerbated by muscle catabolism following SG if not adequately addressed. Blood pressure, glucose, and bone metabolism are all affected by the CKD stage 4-5D, and therefore require distinct diagnostic and management approaches. Long-standing chronic disease, associated comorbidities, and low adherence to medical therapies require ongoing comprehensive psychosocial assessment and support. This paper aims to review and consolidate the existing literature concerning the intersection of CKD stage 4-5D and the consequences of SG. We also suggest future clinical outcome studies examining novel treatment approaches for this medically complex population., (Copyright © 2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Development of de novo donor-specific anti-HLA antibody (dnDSA) is associated with poor graft survival in adults. However, there is a paucity of data about its prevalence and outcome in Indian children. We retrospectively assessed the proportion and spectrum of dnDSA and its outcome on antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) and graft function. Children ≤18 years who were transplanted between November 2016 and October 2019 were included in this study. Pretransplant donor-specific antibody (DSA) was screened by complement-dependent cytotoxicity, flow cytometry crossmatch, and single antigen bead (SAB) class I and II by Luminex platform. Either antithymocyte globulin or basiliximab was used as induction. Tacrolimus, mycophenolate, and prednisolone were used for the maintenance of immunosuppression. SAB screening was done at 1, 3, 6 months, and yearly in seven children and at the time of acute graft dysfunction in eight. Mean fluorescence intensity ≥1000 was considered positive. Protocol biopsies were done at 3, 6, and 12 months and annually thereafter in seven children. Fifteen children, all males with a median age (interquartile range) of 13 years (11; 15.5) were analyzed. Only one child had pretransplant DSA who developed dnDSA posttransplant. Overall, 8 (53%) developed dnDSA over a median follow-up of 18 months. Seven (87%) had Class II, one Class I and 3 (37%) both Class I and II. Six had dQ and two had DR. All children with dnDSA had ABMR, of these two had subclinical rejection. DSAs persisted despite treatment, though graft function improved. Children with DSA and ABMR had lower graft function than those without DSA. The proportion of dnDSA was high in our study, majority against DQ. The detection of dnDSA prompted early diagnosis and treatment of ABMR., (Copyright © 2023 Copyright: © 2023 Saudi Journal of Kidney Diseases and Transplantation.)

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus in kidney transplant recipients is a risk factor for cardiovascular events and premature death. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are increasingly used in nontransplant populations to improve diabetes control and cardiovascular and renal benefits. Limited literature exists regarding the safety and efficacy of these agents in renal transplant recipients., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all kidney transplant recipients within our health system who were prescribed a SGLT2i after transplantation for diabetes. The safety, tolerability, and effectiveness of SGLT2i were analyzed., Results: Thirty-nine kidney transplant recipients were initiated on SGLT2i therapy, twenty-seven of which remained on therapy for at least 1 year. Ten (25%) patients experienced an adverse event while on a SGLT2i, with urinary tract infections (UTI) being the most common. Seventeen patients (43%) discontinued the SGLT2i at the time of chart review, most commonly due to cost and kidney function decline. The median [IQR] hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) at SGLT2i initiation of 8.4% [7.8-9.2] decreased to 7.5% [6.8-8.0%] after 3 months and 7.5% [6.5-7.9] after 12 months. No meaningful change in kidney function or tacrolimus exposure was observed., Conclusion: SGLT2i may be a safe and effective treatment for diabetes in kidney transplant recipients. Cost is a barrier to SGLT2i therapy, and UTIs were the most frequently encountered adverse events in this cohort. More studies are needed to understand the safety profile and determine the effect of SGLT2i on diabetes-related comorbidities among kidney transplant recipients., (© 2022 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Objectives: Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Maharashtra, Kerala, Chandigarh, and Karnataka are states in India with active programs for deceased donor kidney transplant. We report our experience of 2 decades of deceased donor kidney transplant at the Institute of Kidney Diseases and Research Center, Dr. H. L. Trivedi Institute of Transplantation Sciences, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India., Materials and Methods: This single-center retrospective study comprised data from 831 deceased donor kidney transplant recipients between January 1, 1997 and December 31, 2018. Mean recipient age was 38 ± 14 years; 564 were male, and 267 were female. Mean donor age was 45.3 ± 17.13 years; 565 were men, and 266 were women., Results: Between January 1, 1997 and March 15, 2020, 5838 kidney transplants were completed, including 4895 living donor kidney transplants, 943 deceased donor kidney transplants, and 440 kidney paired donation transplants. Over the mean follow-up time of 8 ± 5.4 years, patient survival rate was 70% (n = 581) and death-censored graft survival rate was 84% (n = 698). Delayed graft function was shown in 210 patients (25%) and biopsy-proven acute rejection rate in 180 patients (21%). Our experience of favorable outcomes with deceased donor kidney transplants has expanded the donor pool in many ways, including transplant from expanded criteria donors to younger recipients; transplant from older donors to older recipients; donation after cardiac death; successful intercity organ procurement; dual-kidney transplant; en bloc transplant from a pediatric deceased donor; and transplant from brain death deceased donors who died from neurotoxic snakebite, recurrent primary brain tumor, bacterial meningitis, or head injury, or with disseminated intravascular coagulation and deranged renal functions. The pathway to increase organ donation was investigated., Conclusions: Deceased donor kidney transplant can achieve acceptable graft function with patient/graft survival, which may encourage the use of this approach to increase the number of available organs.

Objectives: This study reports our experience of the first 4-way kidney exchange transplant combined with desensitization in India, which allows increased access to living-donor kidney transplant for sensitized patients., Materials and Methods: Four-way kidney exchange transplant procedures were approved by the ethics committee of our institution and the Organ Transplantation Authorization Committee of state governments of India (as per the Transplantation of Human Organs Act of India). The protocols conformed to Declaration of Istanbul principles and the ethical guidelines of the 1975 Helsinki Declaration. Written informed consent was obtained from patients, donors, and their guardians., Results: In April 2016, our transplant team completed simultaneous 4-way kidney exchange transplant procedures without any medical (rejection and infections) or surgical complications. Reasons for being included for kidney exchange transplant were ABO incom-patible (2 recipients) and sensitization (2 recipients). All 4 recipients had stable graft function with no proteinuria and donor-specific antibody at 11-month follow-up on standard triple immunosup-pression. Patient and graft survival rates were both 100%., Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first single-center report of 4-way kidney exchange transplant combined with desensitization from India. This procedure has the potential to expand living-donor kidney transplant in disadvantaged groups (eg, sensitized patients). Recipients who are hard to match due to high panel reactive antibody and difficult to desensitize due to strong donor-specific antibodies can receive a transplant with a combination of kidney exchange and desensitization. Our study suggests that 4-way kidney exchange transplant can be performed in developing countries (India) similar to that shown in programs in developed countries with team work, kidney exchange registry, and counseling.

In a living donor kidney transplantation (LDKT) dominated transplant programme, kidney paired donation (KPD) may be a cost-effective and valid alternative strategy to increase LDKT in countries with limited resources where deceased donation kidney transplantation (DDKT) is in the initial stages. Here, we report our experience of 300 single-centre KPD transplantations to increase LDKT in India. Between January 2000 and July 2016, 3616 LDKT and 561 DDKT were performed at our transplantation centre, 300 (8.3%) using KPD. The reasons for joining KPD among transplanted patients were ABO incompatibility (n = 222), positive cross-match (n = 59) and better matching (n = 19). A total of 124 two-way (n = 248), 14 three-way (n = 42), one four-way (n = 4) and one six-way exchange (n = 6) yielded 300 KPD transplants. Death-censored graft and patient survival were 96% (n = 288) and 83.3% (n = 250), respectively. The mean serum creatinine was 1.3 mg/dl at a follow-up of 3 ± 3 years. We credit the success of our KPD programme to maintaining a registry of incompatible pairs, counselling on KPD, a high-volume LDKT programme and teamwork. KPD is legal, cost effective and rapidly growing for facilitating LDKT with incompatible donors. This study provides large-scale evidence for the expansion of single-centre LDKT via KPD when national programmes do not exist., (© 2017 Steunstichting ESOT.)

Objectives: To evaluate whether the outcomes of renal grafts from living related donors older than 60 years are acceptable, in terms of renal function and patient/graft survival., Material and Methods: One hundred and forty-seven patients who received kidneys from donor age ≥60 years constituted the study group (group 1). The control group (group 2) consisted of 1310 patients who received renal transplants from donor age <60 years. Outcome measures included graft, patient survival, acute rejection rate and serum creatinine (SCr) in patients/donors. Graft and patient survivals were compared using the Kaplan-Meier method., Results: The mean age of donors was 62.7 ± 3.39 years in group 1 and 43.45 ± 9.65 years in group 2. Patient survival at 1, 3 and 5 years was 95.7%, 89.4% and 82.6% in group 1 and 93.8%, 89.1% and 83.1% in group 2 (p = 0.785), respectively. Death-censored graft survival at 1, 3 and 5 years was 98.5%, 94.8% and 94.8% in group 1 and 96.1%, 92.9% and 89% in group 2 (p = 0.166), respectively. Biopsy-proven acute rejections were 21% and 16.8% (p = 0.206) and chronic rejections 5% and 3.4% in group 1 and 2, respectively (p = 0.542). Recipient SCr (mg/dL) was 1.8 ± 0.31 in group 1 and 1.58 ± 0.37 in group 2. The donor SCr levels at the last follow-up were 1 mg/dL and 0.9 mg/dL in group 1 and 2, respectively., Conclusions: Donor age did not affect patient and graft survival in the 5-year follow-up in our study. Age alone seems not to be an exclusion criterion to living kidney donation.

According to the Indian chronic kidney disease registry, in 2010 only 2% of end stage kidney disease patients were managed with kidney transplantation, 37% were managed with dialysis and 61% were treated conservatively without renal replacement therapy. In countries like India, where a well-organized deceased donor kidney transplantation program is not available, living donor kidney transplantation is the major source of organs for kidney transplantation. The most common reason to decline a donor for directed living donation is ABO incompatibility, which eliminates up to one third of the potential living donor pool. Because access to transplantation with human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-desensitization protocols and ABO incompatible transplantation is very limited due to high costs and increased risk of infections from more intense immunosuppression, kidney paired donation (KPD) promises hope to a growing number of end stage kidney disease patients. KPD is a rapidly growing and cost-effective living donor kidney transplantation strategy for patients who are incompatible with their healthy, willing living donor. In principle, KPD is feasible for any centre that performs living donor kidney transplantation. In transplant centres with a large living donor kidney transplantation program KPD does not require extra infrastructure, decreases waiting time, avoids transplant tourism and prevents commercial trafficking. Although KPD is still underutilized in India, it has been performed more frequently in recent times. To substantially increase donor pool and transplant rates, transplant centres should work together towards a national KPD program and frame a uniform acceptable allocation policy., (© 2014 Asian Pacific Society of Nephrology.)

Because access to transplantation with HLA-desensitization protocols and ABO incompatible transplantation is very limited due to high costs and increased risk of infections from more intense immunosuppression, kidney paired donation (KPD) promises hope to a growing number of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patient in India. We present a government and institutional ethical review board approved study of 56 ESRD patients [25 two-way and 2 three-way pairs] who consented to participate in KPD transplantation at our center in 2013, performed to avoid blood group incompatibility (n = 52) or positive cross-match (n = 4). All patients had anatomic, functional, and immunologically comparable donors. The waiting time in KPD was short as compared to deceased donor transplantation. Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy was performed in 54 donors. Donor relationships were spousal (n = 40), parental (n = 13), others (n = 3), with median HLA match of 1. Graft survival was 97.5%. Three patients died with functioning graft. 16% had biopsy-proven acute rejection. Mean serum creatinine was 1.2 mg/dl at 0.73 ± 0.32 months follow-up. KPD is a viable, legal, and rapidly growing modality for facilitating LDRT for patients who are incompatible with their healthy, willing living donor. To our knowledge, this is the largest single-center report from India., (© 2014 Steunstichting ESOT.)

Background: Stem cell therapy (SCT) is used for immunosuppression minimization in renal transplantation (RT). We carried out a prospective study to evaluate the benefits of co-infusion of donor adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSC) + hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) in living donor RT (LDRT) under non-myeloablative conditioning., Methods: In a demographically balanced three-armed LDRT trial with 95 patients in each arm, group-1 received portal co-infusion of AD-MSC + HSC, group-2 received HSC and group-3 received no SCT. Lymphoid irradiation and anti-thyroglobulin were used for conditioning., Results: SCT was safe. At 1 and 5 years post-transplant, patient survival was 100% and 94.7% in group-1, 100% and 95.7% in group-2, and 94.7% and 84% in group-3, death-censored graft survival was 100% and 94.6% in group-1, 100% and 91.3% in group-2, and 98.9% and 94.4% in group-3 with mean serum creatinine (mg/dL) of 1.38 and 1.39 in group-1, 1.48 and 1.51 in group-2, and 1.29 and 1.42 and in group-3. Rejection episodes and immunosuppression requirement were lesser in SCT groups versus controls with best results noted in group-1., Conclusion: Coinfusion of donor AD-MSC +HSC in portal circulation pre-transplant under non-myeloablative conditioning is safe and effective for immunosuppression minimization in LDRT.

Background: In India, there are a large number of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients waiting for renal transplantation (RT). Organ retrieval from brain dead deceased donor (DD) is getting increased attention as the waiting list for organ recipients far exceeds the organ donor pool. In our country, despite a large population, the number of brain dead donors undergoing organ donation is very less. DDRT is the possible solution to bridge the disparity between organ supply and demand. In India, the potential for DDRT is huge due to the high number of fatal road traffic accidents and this pool is yet to be tapped., Patients and Methods: We report DDRT outcome in 294 patients (age: 36.5 ± 14.1 years; male:female, 200:94) between 2005 and 2012. All patients received single-dose rabbit-anti-thymocyte globulin for induction and steroids, calcineurin inhibitor, and mycophenolate mofetil/azathioprine for maintenance immunosuppression., Results: Our retrospective study in 294 DDRT shows a fairly successful outcome. Over a mean follow-up of 3.93 years, patient and graft survival rates were 81.7% and 92.6%, respectively, with a median serum creatinine of 1.5 mg/dL. 20.7% had biopsy-proven acute rejection., Conclusion: Given the widespread organ shortage, DDRT has a potential to expand the donor pool and shorten the waiting list for RT, encouraging the use of this approach even in low-income countries. Aggressive donor management, increasing public awareness about the concept of organ donation, good communication between clinician and the family members, and a well-trained team of transplant coordinators can help in improving the number of organ donations.

Fungal pathogens can be the source of serious and sometimes fatal infections following organ transplantation. To the best of our knowledge, we present the first case of cutaneous blastomycosis in a renal allograft recipient in India, a country outside the known endemic regions. This case, with the very rare and unexpected diagnosis of blastomycosis, not only reflects the tremendous diversity of infections in transplant recipients but also emphasizes the utility of serological methods even in the immunosuppressed host.

We conducted a single-center prospective double-arm open-labeled study on kidney transplant patients from 2010 to 2011 to evaluate the efficacy of induction therapy using low, single-dose rabbit-antithymocyte globulin (r-ATG), 1.5 mg/kg on Day 0 (n = 80, 60 males, mean age 35.9 years), versus basiliximab (Interleukin-2 blocker) 20 mg on Days 0 and 4 (n = 20, 12 males, mean age 45.1 years) on renal allograft function in terms of serum creatinine (SCr), rejection and infection episodes and patient/graft survival and cost. Demographic and post-transplant follow-up including immunosuppression was similar in both groups. In the r-ATG group, donors were unrelated (spouse, n = 25), deceased (n = 31) and parents/siblings (others), with a mean HLA match of 1.58. Donors in the basiliximab group were living unrelated (spouse, n = 15) and deceased (n = 5), with a mean HLA match of 1.56. No patient/graft was lost in the r-ATG group over a mean of one year follow-up, and the mean SCr was 1.28 mg/dL with 7.5% acute rejection (AR) episodes; infections were also not observed. In the basiliximab group, over the same period of follow-up, there was 95% death-censored graft survival, and the mean SCr was 1.23 mg/dL with 10% AR episodes. One patient died due to bacterial pneumonia and one succumbed to coronary artery disease; one graft was lost due to uncontrolled acute humoral and cellular rejection. The cost of r-ATG and basiliximab were $600 and $2500, respectively. We conclude that induction immunosuppressive therapy with a low-dose r-ATG may be a better option as compared with basiliximab in terms of graft function, survival and cost benefit in kidney transplant patients.

Background: Chronic heart failure (CHF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are serious medical conditions with significant morbidity and mortality and often coexist. Because of perioperative risks in these patients, they may not be considered a candidate for renal transplantation (RTx)., Material and Methods: We compare retrospectively RTx outcomes [graft/patient survival, rejection rates and adverse cardiac events] in study group [low left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ 45% by echocardiogram, n = 63] and control group [normal LVEF ≥ 50%, n = 537] from a developing country., Results: The mean EF was 35 ± 5.6 and 57 ± 3% for the study and control groups, respectively (p < 0.001). Majority of these patients (98%) showed normalization of LVEF post-transplant. The median EF was 60% at 1-3 months post-transplant. No difference was noted in graft survival, patient survival, rejection rates, serum creatinine and adverse cardiac events of study group at 1.3-year mean follow-up compared to control group. Outcome was not adversely affected by preexisting LV dysfunction. The study and control groups had nearly similar percent of patients with established CAD but significantly more hospitalization for CHF pre RTx in the study group compared with the control group., Conclusion: RTx may play a role in reversing LV systolic dysfunction. Once thought by many to be a contraindication for renal transplantation, this appears not to be the case. The outcomes between the 2 groups are comparable and transplant is an option for even low EF patients.

Despite heightened international interest in performing living donor kidney paired donation (KPD) transplantation after the publication of a research protocol by Ross and colleagues in 1997, only a few hundred have been performed worldwide. The major obstacle is that many individuals in end-stage renal disease are of blood type O and can only receive an organ from a donor of blood type O, whereas blood type O donors are "universal donors" and will be able to donate directly with an intended recipient of any blood type unless there is a positive crossmatch. To overcome this, patients with compatible but non-HLA identical donors over 45 years of age should be approached for inclusion in KPD program especially O blood group donors. Inclusion of all these additional pairs into the algorithm greatly increases chances of possible matches for O blood group recipients. We report successful three-way KPD transplantation resulting in transplantation of O blood group patient using compatible O blood group donor from India. None of the patients had delayed graft function or rejection and all had stable graft function on discharge without any medical and surgical complications. We need to allocate O blood group kidneys from compatible donors to overcome the barrier of HLA, non-HLA antibodies and other donor related factors to improve transplant quality and long term outcomes. This will increase transplantation of O blood group patients.

Background: Kidney paired donation (KPD) is a rapidly growing modality for facilitating living donor kidney transplantation (LDKTx) for patients who are incompatible with their healthy, willing and living donor. The impact of donor-recipient age difference on long and short-term graft and patient survivals in LDKTx is still uncertain., Methods: A total of 1502 LDKTx recipients who received regular follow-up in our center from 1999 to 2012 were studied. Donor-recipient age difference was divided into subgroups (donor-recipient 0-10, 11-20, 0-20, 21-30, 31-40, and 21-40 years). Outcome measures included death censored graft, patient survival and acute rejection rate., Results: The 1-, 5-, 10-year patient survival of the donor-recipient age difference ≤20 years group showed no difference compared with the age difference >20 years group (94.5%, 83.2%, 71.9% and 95.2%, 86%, 77.8%, p = 0.053). The 1-, 5-, 10-year graft survival of the donor-recipient age difference ≤20 years group showed no difference compared with the age difference >20 years group (94.6%, 81.6%, 72.1% and 94%, 80%, 72.2%, p = 0.989). The rejection were also similar (17.5% vs. 16.5%, p > 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in graft survival and acute rejection rate in all subgroups., Conclusions: Older donors (usually within families) are not associated with worse outcome is reassuring. KPD should not be prohibited due to high donor-recipient age difference, when size of donor pool is small as in single center KPD program.

Background: Kidney paired donation (KPD) is feasible for any center that performs living related donor renal transplantation (LRDRTx). Lack of awareness, counseling and participation are important hurdles in KPD patients with incompatible donors., Materials and Methods: This is an institutional review board approved study of 10 ESRD patients who consented to participate in the KPD transplantation at our center. All the surgeries were carried out on the same day at the same center on the occasion of World Kidney Day (WKD) (14 March 2013). All recipients had anatomic, functional and immunological similar donors., Results: KPD were performed to avoid blood group incompatibility (n = 8) or to avoid a positive crossmatch (n = 2). None of the patients experienced delayed graft function and surgical complications. At 3 month follow-up, median serum creatinine was 1 (range 0.6 to 1.25) mg/dL and two patients developed allograft biopsy-proven acute rejection and responded to antirejection therapy. Due to impact of our awareness activity, 20 more KPD patients are medically fit for transplantation and waiting for permission from the authorization committee before transplantation., Conclusion: This is a report of 10 simultaneous KPD transplantations in a single day in a single centre on WKD raising awareness of KPD. KPD is viable, legal and rapidly growing modality for facilitating LRDRTx for patients who are incompatible with their healthy, willing LRD.

A 42-year-old renal transplant recipient was admitted with fever, anorexia, malaise, nonproductive cough, and dyspnea of 1-week duration. Multiple cultures of blood, sputum, and urine were negative. The possibility of bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia (BOOP) was considered when pulmonary infiltrate did not respond to conventional antibiotic therapy. High-resolution computed tomography of the chest revealed patchy air-space consolidation and ground-glass opacities, predominantly located in the periphery of the lungs. Cultures and stains of bronchoalveolar lavage specimen and bronchoscopic biopsy of lung tissue were negative for organisms such as Pneumocystis (carinii) jiroveci, bacteria, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, cytomegalovirus, fungi, and atypical germs, and showed evidence of BOOP. The patient recovered completely after treatment with steroids.

Background: Economic constraints in operating an effective maintenance dialysis program leaves renal transplantation as the only viable option for end-stage renal disease patients in India. Kidney paired donation (KPD) is a rapidly growing modality for facilitating living donor (LD) transplantation for patients who are incompatible with their healthy, willing LD., Materials and Methods: The aim of our study was to report a single-center feasibilities and outcomes of KPD transplantation between 2000 and 2012. We performed KPD transplants in 70 recipients to avoid blood group incompatibility (n = 56) or to avoid a positive crossmatch (n = 14)., Results: Over a mean follow-up of 2.72 ± 2.96 years, one-, five- and ten-year patient survival were 94.6, 81, 81 %, and death-censored graft survival was 96.4, 90.2, 90.2 %, respectively. Ten percent of patients were lost, mainly due to infections (n = 4). There was 14.2 % biopsy-proven acute rejection, and 5.7 % interstitial fibrosis with tubular atrophy eventually leading to graft loss., Conclusion: The incidences of acute rejection, patient/graft survival rates were acceptable in our KPD program and, therefore, we believe it should be encouraged. These findings are valuable for encouraging participation of KPD pairs and transplant centers in national KPD program. It should be promoted in centers with low-deceased donor transplantation. Our study findings are relevant in the context of Indian government amending the Transplantation of Human Organs Act to encourage national KPD program. To our knowledge, it is largest single-center report from India.

The presence of positive anti-human, globulin-enhanced, complement-dependent cytotoxicity crossmatches (AHG-CDC-XM) generally has been considered as a contraindication to kidney transplantation (KTx). Flow cytometry crossmatch (FCXM) and solid phase antibody screening are most sensitive and specific methods for immunological assessment. The outcome effect of donor-specific antibody (DSA) positive by Luminexx platform and CDCXM negative has been evaluated, but not the outcome of CDCXM positive and DSA negative. This is a case report describing KTx in a patient with pre-transplant positive AHG-CDC-XM but negative FCXM and without detectable DSA by Luminexx single antigen beads. CDCXM, FCXM, DSA were negative after transplantation, and kidney allograft biopsy did not show immune injury with negative C4d. Our report suggests that KTx with positive AHG-CDC-XM can be considered if FCXM and DSA were negative with careful immunological monitoring after transplantation. In our case, the IgM-antibodies were responsible for the positive AHG-CDC-XM result. The patient with positive CDC XM has a good outcome in the absence of DSA. Further work is needed to determine under what circumstances CDCXM positive transplants can be performed with FCXM and DSA negative.

Nocardiosis is a rare opportunistic infection, especially seen in immunocompromised patients, including renal allograft recipients. Primary pulmonary infection is the most common clinical pattern and can easily result in disseminated Nocardia infection if treatment therapy is not adequate at the beginning. We report a case of pulmonary nocardiosis associated with cytomegalovirus retinitis in a renal transplant recipient, followed by chronic allograft dysfunction. Our patient was a 50-year-old male renal allograft recipient, with diabetes mellitus and hypertension, who was diagnosed with pneumonia and cytomegalovirus retinitis. High-resolution computed tomography scan of the thorax and bronchoscopy revealed nocardial pneumonia. The patient responded well to ceftriaxone and was later switched to oral minocycline. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a successful treatment of co-infection with Nocardia pneumonia and cytomegalovirus retinitis in a renal transplant patient, with early diagnosis and prompt treatment.

Renal transplantation (RTx) is considered as the best therapeutic modality for patient suffering from end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Dearth of donor kidneys is a major problem everywhere, and deceased donor renal transplantation (DDRTx) is seen as at least a partial solution. Even so, DDRTx accounts for only less than 4% of RTx in India. We report our 6-year single-center experience on DDRTx vis-à-vis patient/graft survival, graft function in terms of serum creatinine (SCr), rejection episodes, and delayed graft function (DGF). Between January 2005 and March 2011, 236 DDRTx were performed. Majority of the donors were those with brain death due to road traffic/cerebrovascular accidents. The commonest recipient diseases leading to ESRD were chronic glomerulonephritis (42.8%), diabetes (12.7%), and hypertension (10.6%). Mean recipient age was 36.2 ± 14.2 years; 162 were males and 74 were females. Mean donor age was 45.3 ± 17.13 years; 144 were males and 92 were females. Mean dialysis duration pre-transplantation was 18.5 ± 2.5 months. All recipients received single-dose rabbit-anti-thymocyte globulin induction and steroids, calcinueurin inhibitor, and mycophenolate mofetil/azathioprine for maintenance immunosuppression. Delayed graft function was observed in 29.6% patients and 22% had biopsy-proven acute rejection. Over the mean follow-up of 2.18 ± 1.75 years, patient and graft survival rates were 74.57% and 86.8%, respectively, with mean SCr of 1.42 ± 0.66 mg%. DDRTx achieves acceptable graft function with patient/graft survival, encouraging the use of this approach in view of organ shortage.

Background: We undertook this study to define the role of stem cell transplantation (SCT) versus donor-specific transfusion (DST) in tolerance induction and sustenance in living donor renal transplantation (LDRT)., Methods: In this prospective three-armed trial in LDRT with 13 patients each in demographically well-balanced groups, tolerance induction protocol (TIP) was used with SCT in group 1, DST in group 2, and no induction in group 3. Tolerance induction protocol consisted of SCT/DST under conditioning with bortezomib, methylprednisone, rituximab, and rabbit antithymocyte globulin. Transplantation was performed with prednisone in groups 1 and 2 and with triple immunosuppression in group 3, if lymphocyte/flow crossmatch was negative; and if donor-specific antibodies (DSAs) were absent in the first 2 groups. Posttransplant monitoring included serum creatinine (SCr), peripheral T-regulatory cells (pTregs)(127/CD4+/25), and DSA for groups 1 and 2; DSA was eliminated in group 3. Rescue IS was started with rise of SCr/DSA/ rejection., Results: Tolerance induction protocol was safe. Over a mean follow-up of 2 years, no patient/graft was lost in groups 1 and 2. One patient of group 3 lost graft to noncompliance. Protocol biopsies were unremarkable. Rejections were noted in six patients of group 1, five of group 2, and seven of group 3. Donor-specific antibodies were elevated in three patients of both groups. Mean SCr of all groups was similar; however, pTregs were increased posttransplant in groups 1 and 2 versus group 3. Group 1 had sustained rise in pTregs., Conclusion: Stem cell transplantation and DST are useful for immunosuppression minimization in LDRT with sustained generation of pTregs with SCT.

Background: Kidney Paired Donation (KPD) is a rapidly growing modality for facilitating living related donor kidney transplantation (LRDKTx) for patients who are incompatible with their healthy, willing, and living donors. Data scarcity on the outcome of KPD versus LRDKTx prompted us to review our experience., Materials and Methods: This was a single-center study of 224 patients on regular follow-up, who underwent LRDRTx from January 2010 to June 2012 at our institute. The aim of this study was to compare short-term graft survival, patient survival and rejection rates of KPD (group 1, n = 34) with those of LRDKTx (group 2, n = 190). All the recipients received triple immunosuppression and thymoglobulin induction in KPD group. Kaplan-Meier curves were used for survival analysis. In group 1, mean recipient age was 35.5 ± 13.2 years, 29 were men and mean donor age was 44.4 ± 8.17 years, 10 were men. In group 2, mean recipient age was 29.1 ± 10 years, 155 were men and mean donor age was 47.5 ± 9.69 years, 74 were men. Mean human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matching in group 1 and 2 was 1 versus 3.2 (p < 0.05)., Results: One- and two-year patient survival showed no significant difference between the two groups (97.1%, 97.1% vs. 96.2%, 94.8%, respectively, p = 0.81). Death-censored graft survival also showed no significant difference between the two groups (97.1%, 97.1%, vs. 97.6%, 97.6%, p = 0.73). Acute rejection incidence was also similar (8.7% vs. 9.9%, p > 0.62)., Conclusions: Our study showed similar graft survival, patient survival and rejection rates of KPD versus LRDKTx over 2 years post-transplantation, encouraging the use of this approach for national KPD program.

Recurrence of primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is an important cause of graft loss after renal transplantation (RTx). We report our experience in 34 patients with primary FSGS who underwent RTx between April 1999 and June 2009, using hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). They belonged to four groups: group 1 (n = 12) received high-dose HSCT in periphery, thymus, bone-marrow, and portal circulation with low-dose non-myeloablative conditioning; group 2 (n = 7) was modified with HSCT without marrow/thymic infusion; and group 3 (n = 3) received HSCT and proteasome inhibitor Bortezomib replacing conditioning. Group 4 (n = 12), were controls who opted for RTx under standard triple-drug immunosuppression. Patient/donor demographics were comparable in all. No recurrence was noted in group 1 with mean follow-up of 8.1 years, whereas 28.6% of group 2, 33.3% of group 3, and 36.4% of group 4 had recurrence over mean follow-up of 2.6, 1.1, and 6.5 years, respectively. Mean serum creatinine was 1.62, 1.69, 1.41, and 1.73 mg%, respectively. Rejections were noted in 41.7%, 28.6%, 0%, and 45.5% grafts, respectively. Groups 1 and 4 had 25% patient loss each, group 2 had 28.6% loss, and no loss was observed in group 3. Graft loss was noted in 33.3% in group 1, 14.3% in group 2, nil in group 3, and 16.7% in the last group. Recurrent FSGS was prevented in RTx with HSCT in thymic, marrow infusion under low-dose non-myeloablative conditioning compared to controls and Bortezomib group, thus suggesting potential role of central tolerance in FSGS.

RTx is best treatment for children with ESRD. Data scarcity on DDRTx outcome in children prompted us to review our experience. This study was undertaken to evaluate patient/graft survival, function vis-a-vis SCr, rejection episodes, and mortality in DDRTx performed in 37 children between 1998 and 2011. The most common recipient diseases leading to ESRD were congenital anomalies of kidney and urinary tract (48.6%) and chronic glomerulonephritis (18.9%). Mean recipient age was 13.8 ± 3.1 yr; 67.5% (n = 25) were men. Mean donor age was 38.8 ± 18.6 yr; 48.5% (n = 18) were men. Mean dialysis duration pre-transplantation was 15.5 ± 3.5 months. All recipients received r-ATG, and triple immunosuppression. Over a mean follow-up of 3.93 ± 3.5 yr, patient and graft survival rates were 72.9% (n = 27) and 83.7% (n = 31), respectively, with a mean SCr of 1.1 mg/dL; 21.6% (n = 8) of patients had acute rejection episodes; 24.3% (n = 9) of patients had DGF. A total of 27% (n = 10) patients died, mainly owing to infections (n = 6) and cardiovascular disease (n = 3). DDRTx is a viable option for children and achieves acceptable graft function with patient/graft survival over long-term follow-up, encouraging use of this approach., (© 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.)

Background: Use of kidneys from donors aged 70 years and older is controversial. Organ shortage has led many transplant centers to accept kidneys from old, suboptimal deceased donors and make increasing use of old-for-old allocation systems. We describe our institutional experience with outcomes from transplanting deceased-donor kidneys from older donors (=70 years)., Material and Methods: 20 deceased donor renal transplants (DDRTx) were performed at our center using grafts from deceased donors 70 years and older between June 2004 and September 2011. Kidneys were allocated to dual or single grafting according to pre-transplant biopsy. Mean age of recipients was 47.60 ± 11.38 years, 13 of whom were males. Mean donor age was 76.49 ± 4.9 years; 10 of whom were males. The most common cause of donor death was cerebrovascular/road traffic accidents. Mean dialysis duration pre-transplantation was 19.5 ± 6.5 months. Mean HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigens) match was 1 ± 0.8. Most common recipient diseases leading to ESRD were chronic glomerulonephritis (25%), diabetes (20%), and hypertension (20%). Post-transplant immunosuppression consisted of a calcineurin inhibitor-based regimen., Results: Over a mean follow-up of 2.8 ± 1.7 years, patient and graft survival rates were 75% (n = 15) and 80% ( n = 16), respectively, with a mean serum creatinine of 1.78 ± 0.56 mg/dl; 20% of the patients had biopsy-proven acute rejection episodes. A total of 25% (n = 5) patients died, mainly due to infections., Conclusions: DDRTx from older donors achieves acceptable graft function with patient/graft survival, provided that organs are allocated to dual or single grafting according to pre-transplant biopsy. These findings encourage the use of this approach even in low-income countries.

Background: New-onset diabetes after transplantation (NODAT) is associated with high cardiovascular (CV) risk and reduced patient survival. It is unclear whether this risk is newly acquired or represents preexisting CV disease in patients with this complication., Methods: Included are 1146 adults, recipients of first kidney transplants from 1984 to 2008 treated with modern immunosuppressants., Results: One year after transplantation, 29.8% of patients experienced impaired fasting glycemia and 13.4% NODAT. The risk of NODAT related to recipient variables include the following: older age, male gender, higher body mass index, higher pretransplantation glucose and triglyceride levels, and lower high-density lipoprotein level. Increasing fasting glucose levels at 1, 4, or 12 months after transplantation, independent of other factors, related to reduced patient survival (12 months hazard ratio [HR]=1.146 [1.132-1.161], P<0.0001 for 10mg/dL increase in glucose), and this was primarily because of an increase in CV deaths. Hyperglycemia related to all major CV events (MCVE), cardiac (HR=1.113 [1.094-1.132], P<0.0001), vascular (HR=1.168 [1.140-1.197], P<0.0001), and strokes (HR=1.156 [1.123-1.191], P=0.003). These relations were statistically independent of other risk factors. The increased risk of MCVE was noted particularly in patients without MCVE before transplantation (HR=1.145 [1.126-1.165], P<0.0001). Furthermore, among patients with after transplantation MCVE (n=123, 11%), hyperglycemia increases the risk of death (NODAT: HR=2.410 [1.125-5.162], P=0.024)., Conclusions: After transplantation hyperglycemia is a strong independent risk factor for MCVE and death, mainly from CV causes. This risk is independent of the presence of CV disease identified before transplantation.

Background: Deceased donor organ shortage has made living donors (LD) major source for renal transplantation (RTx) in India. Spouses represent an important source of allograft. We carried out a retrospective study of spousal RTx vs. other LDRTx to compare long-term results., Methods: This retrospective single-center study was undertaken to evaluate demographic, patient survival, graft survival, function vis-à-vis serum creatinine (SCr) and rejection episodes in 1523 living donor renal allograft recipients from 1998 to 2009. It included spouse donors (n=337) (group 1), living related donors (LRD) (n=969) (group 2), and living unrelated donors (LUD) (n=217) (group 3)., Results: Mean recipient age (years +/- SD)) was 41.48 +/- 8.87, 30.49 +/- 10.61, and 37.13 +/- 13.25, respectively for the three groups who were followed for 4.47 +/- 3.03, 4.47 +/- 3.0 and 5.15 +/- 3.28 years respectively. Female donors were 92.6%, 66.4%, and 41%, mean HLA match was 1.15 +/- 0.93, 3 +/- 1.05 and 1.30 +/- 1.08 respectively. One, 5 and 12 year graft survivals among group 1 were 91.39%, 75.49%, and 73.13%; 90.98%, 74.10% and 64.57% in group 2 and 94.92%, 82.86% and 70.31% in group 3. Patient survival for 1, 5 and 12 years were 89.31%, 72.55% and 66.58% in group 1, 93.57%, 82.25% and 72.23% in group 2, and 92.62%, 79.76% and 66.79% in group 3. Acute rejections were noted in 16.6%, 15.8% and 17% respectively., Conclusions: In circumstances of organ shortage andunavailability of well developed ABO incompatible transplants, spousal donation is viable option.

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is the commonest cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) worldwide. Renal transplantation (RTx) is the best therapeutic modality for such patients. First-degree relatives of patients with type 2 DM have high risk of diabetes/pre-diabetes. Parents are often too old to be suitable donors, and siblings/children/spouse are either not suitable/acceptable or do not come forward for organ donation. This leaves deceased donation (DD) as only suitable donors. Data scarcity on DDRTx outcome in diabetic nephropathy (DN) prompted us to review our experience. This retrospective single-center 10-year study was undertaken to evaluate patient/graft survival, graft function, rejection episodes, and mortality in these patients., Materials and Methods: Between January 2001 and March 2011, thirty-five DN-ESRD patients underwent DDRTx in our center following cardiac fitness assessment of recipients. All patients received single-dose rabbit-anti-thymocyte globulin for induction and steroids, calcineurin inhibitor, and mycophenolate mofetil/azathioprine for maintenance immunosuppression. Mean recipient age was 49.66 ± 6.76 years, and 25 were men. Mean donor age was 50 ± 16.45 years, 23 were men., Results: Over a mean follow-up of 2.28 ± 2.59 years, patient and graft survival rates were 68.5% and 88.5%, respectively, with mean SCr of 1.9 ± 0.62 mg/dl. Delayed graft function was observed in 34.3% patients, and 25.7% had biopsy-proven acute rejection; 31.5% patients died, mainly because of infections (22.8%), coronary artery disease (2.86%), and cerebrovascular events (5.7%)., Conclusion: DDRTx in patients with DN has acceptable graft function and patient/graft survival over 10-year follow-up in our center and, therefore, we believe it should be encouraged.

Renal transplantation (RTx) has become the treatment of choice for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), the most common genetic kidney disease. Because of the inheritable nature of this disease, live related donors might be avoided due to the fear of future appearance of polycystic disease. This retrospective singlecenter study was undertaken to evaluate patient/graft survival function vis-a-vis serum creatinine (SCr), rejection episodes and mortality in ADPKD vs matched control patients. Between 2000 and 2009, 18 (7.4%) deceased donor renal transplant (DDRTx) were performed for ESRD due to ADPKD. Diagnosis of ADPKD was established by family history and ultrasound. An individualized approach was applied for the need of pre-transplant nephrectomy. All recipients received rabbit-anti-thymocyte globulin induction and maintenance triple immunosuppression. Delayed graft function was observed in 33% patients, and 16% had biopsy-proven acute rejection. Over mean follow-up of 4.67 ± 2.2 years, patient and graft survival rates were 72.22% and 83.33%, with mean SCr (mg/dL) of 1.44 ± 0.54, 1.78 ± 0.42 and 2.2 ± 0.6 at 1, 5 and 10 years. Overall, 44.4% (n-8) underwent pre-transplant nephrectomy. Infection and cardio/cerebrovascular events were the main causes of death. Patient, graft survival and acute rejection were similar between ADPKD and control group. DDRTx in ADPKD has acceptable patient and graft survival. Because of the inheritable nature of the disease, and unavailability of genetic linkage analysis as a routine, DDRTx is a viable option to avoid using unrelated donors.

Highly sensitized patients are destined to remain untransplanted for long. Early transplantation results in cost-saving, reduced morbidity/mortality and improved quality of life. We carried out a prospective study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of desensitization protocol vis-à-vis patient/graft survival in living donor renal transplantation in highly sensitized patients. Between December 2008 and April 2010, 34 renal transplant (RTx) patients underwent desensitization protocol. An anti-human globulin-enhanced lymphocytotoxicity crossmatch assay (AHG-CDC) ≥25% and T-cell median channel shift (MCS) >50, B-cell MCS >100 [flow crossmatch (FXM)] were considered crossmatch (XM) positive. All patients were administered bortezomib (1.3 mg/m 2 , days 1, 4, 8, 11), plasmapheresis, rabbit-anti-thymocyte globulin (r-ATG), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg). LCXM and FXM were repeated post-protocol. In the event of persistent sensitization, additional bortezomib cycle was repeated along with plasmapheresis, IVIg, calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) and rituximab. If the cross match (CMX) was negative or acceptable, patients underwent RTx. Post-transplant immunosuppression consisted of prednisone, CNI and MMF. Biopsy was performed in the event of graft dysfunction and treated accordingly. There were 18 males and 16 females, with a mean age of 37.4 years. Mean dialysis duration was 14.9 ± 17.6 months. Average third party transfusions were 6.2 ± 4.5, 17.6% had autoimmune diseases, 20.6% were multi-para. Pre-protocol AHGXM was 55.3 ± 24.5%, T-cell crossmatch (TCXM) was 122.4 ± 91.4 MCS and B-cell crossmatch (BCXM) was 279 ± 142.9 MCS. Totally, 85.3% responded within 1 month with reduction in AHG-CDC to 19.9 ± 5.2%, TCXM to 24.7 ± 19.4 MCS and BCXM to 74.7 ± 34.8 MCS. Side effects noted in 38.2% were manageable. Over follow-up of 0.92 ± 0.8 years, patient/graft survival was 100%/88.2% and mean serum creatinine was 1.27 ± 0.32 mg/dL. Acute rejections were noted in 24.1%, who responded to steroids + rabbit antithymocyte globulin (rATG). Five (14.7%) patients were transplanted after changing donors. Our desensitization protocol seems to be safe and effective. Bortezomib may offer new possibilities in desensitization protocols.

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is the commonest cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) worldwide. Data scarcity on renal transplantation (RTx) outcome in diabetic nephropathy (DN) prompted us to review our experience. This retrospective single-center, 5-year study was undertaken to evaluate patient and graft survival and function, evaluated by serum creatinine (SCr), rejection episodes, and mortality in patients., Patients and Methods: One hundred type 2 DM-ESRD patients underwent RTx [80 living-related (LRD), 20 deceased donor (DD)] at our center following cardiac fitness of recipient. Post-transplant immunosuppression consisted of calcineurin inhibitor-based regimen. The mean donor age in the LRD group was 40.6 years and 52 years in the DD group. Male recipients constituted 95% in the LRD and 65% in the DD group., Results: Over a mean follow-up of 2.47 years, 1- and 5-year patient/graft survival in LRDRTx was 85.1%/95.9% and 82.6%/95.9%, respectively, and mean SCr (in mg/dl) at 1 and 5 years was 1.38 and 1.58 mg/dl, respectively, with 20% of cases developing acute rejection (AR) episodes. Fifteen percent of patients died, mainly due to infections, and 1.3% died of coronary artery disease (CAD). In DDRTx, over a mean follow-up of 3.17 years, 1- and 4-year patient/graft survival was 72%/89.7% and 54%/89.7%, respectively; mean SCr at 1 and 4 years was 1.40 and 1.75 mg/dl, respectively, with 20% of cases developing AR episodes. Totally, 30% of patients were lost, mainly due to infections, and 10% of patients died from cerebrovascular events., Conclusion: In our center, in patients with RTx for type 2 DM diabetic nephropathy, the 4- and 5-year patient and graft survival rates and graft function can be considered acceptable. The results are better in LRDRTx than in DDRTx patients.

Introduction: We evaluated donor hypo-responsiveness in renal allograft recipients to donor adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell (h-AD-MSC) +hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) vs. HSCT alone., Methods: Patients were divided into 2 demographically equal groups (n = 100) A and B subjected to equal non-myeloablative conditioning of target-specific irradiation, anti-T + B cell antibodies and cyclophosphamide with HSCT. Group A was administered h-AD-MSC additionally. Transplantation was performed following favorable cross-matching. Cyclosporine, 3 mg/kg BW/day + prednisone, 20 mg/day were immunosuppressants for first 3 months, cyclosporine was replaced by azathioprine subsequently and prednisone lowered to 5-10 mg/day. Peripheral blood chimerism (PBC) was studied using fluorescent in situ hybridization technique at 3/18 months post transplant. Biopsy was performed for graft dysfunction and reported as per Banff criteria,'05., Results: Mean nucleated HSC counts (n × 10(8)/kgBW) was 7.32 with mean CD34+ yield 0.09% in group A; and 6.98 and 0.40% in group B, respectively; CD45-/90+ was 13.49% in former. Over 18 months post transplant, former had mean serum creatinine (SCr), 1.59 mg%, 12% acute rejection (AR) episodes, 3% patient, 1% patient +graft loss; latter had mean SCr 1.49 mg%, 18% AR episodes, 1% patient, 6% graft and 8% patient +graft losses. PBC was higher (4%) in former than later (1.8%)., Conclusion: Combined h-AD-MSC +HSCT under non-myeloablative conditioning was safe, more effective than HSCT alone to achieve donor hypo-responsiveness with adequate stable graft function and reduced rejection episodes.

Immunofluorescence (IF) studies are important diagnostic tool in understanding pathogenesis involved in graft injury. Acute humoral rejection (AHR) associated with circulating donor-specific cytotoxic antibodies, is a poor prognosticator for graft survival. It can be diagnosed by staining for C4d antibody using indirect IF technique. C4d staining required to diagnose AHR was made mandatory for reporting renal allograft biopsies in 7th Banff conference. We present 2 years experience of IF studies using C4d polyclonal antibody on 546 renal allograft biopsies belonging to two groups of patients; 464 from group A (tolerance induction protocol) and 82 from group B (controls). We observed C4d focal positivity in 4 (0.9%) biopsies from group A and 4 (4.9%) from group B. We conclude that it is advisable to collect simultaneous core biopsy samples for IF studies and light microscopy to give better definition of allograft injury and thereby support in clinical management.

We designed and implemented a clinical trial to achieve zero-rejection status in pediatric renal allograft recipients, using granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)-stimulated peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) infusion. We studied 44 consecutive patients: 24 volunteers in a treated group (Tn) and 20 in a control group (Cn). Both groups were comparable with respect to clinical and laboratory parameters. The Tn group had 70.8% one haplo-match donors and the Cn group had 80% one haplo-match donors. Patients in the Tn group received cyclosporin A (CsA) and 0.4 mg/kg body weight prednisolone as immunosuppressants; azathioprine was added for patients of the Cn group, who received 1 mg/kg body weight prednisolone together with CsA. Living-related donors (LRD) of patients in the Tn group received GM-CSF 450 microg on four consecutive days followed by leucopheresis and immediate transfusion of unmodified PBSC into the recipient. This procedure was repeated once/twice, with one portal and one/two systemic infusions. Our aim was to maximize the dose of PBSC. The total average dose was 22 x 10(8) cells/kg body weight. Lymphocyte cross-match (LCM) was performed before GM-CSF injection and after the last PBSC infusion. Follow-up over an 18-month period revealed 100% graft survival with sustained low serum creatinine (SCr) values in patients of the Tn group as compared with 80% graft survival in patients of the control group who had marginally higher SCr levels. Absence of graft vs. host disease (GvHD), acute rejection episodes, and low incidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease were the principal benefits of this protocol.

Background: Physical performance refers to the functional demonstration of task. Little is known about physical performance among Indian kidney-transplant recipients(KTRs). The objective of the present study was to evaluate the physical performance among Indian KTRs and to find its determinants from transplant, demographic, or behavior components. Methodology: In this single-center, prospective observational study, 149 KTRs with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥45 ml/min/1.72 m2 and posttransplant duration (PTD) >6 months were enrolled. Physical performance was evaluated by 6 minute walk distance (6MWD), dominant hand grip strength (DHGS), numbers of 1 minute sit to stand (1MSTS), and time taken to perform 5 times sit to stand (5xSTS). Multivariate analysis was performed between transplant-related components(PTD, dialysis vintage, eGFR, and comorbidity); health behavioral components(total physical activity [TPA], sedentary time, fear of activity participation, body mass index, abdominal circumference); demographic components (age and gender); and each of the physical performance measures. Results: The average 6MWD was 392 ± 96.2 meters, the DHGS was 33.1 ± 6.8 kg, the number of 1MSTS repetitions was 24.0 ± 3.7/min, and the time taken to do 5xSTS was 10.6 ± 1.9 s among participants. When adjusted for cofounders with multivariable analyses, the health behavior of habitual physical activity was statistically significantly (P < 0.001) associated with all aspects of physical performance. Conclusion: Relatively low physical performance was seen among KTRs. Behavior of participation in physical activity contributed to the positive change in all aspects of physical performance against transplant and demographic variables, and it is the major determinant of physical performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Recent reports suggest that bridge–donor reneging is rare (1.5%) in non‐simultaneous kidney exchange chains. However, in developing countries, the non‐directed donors who would be needed to initiate chains are unavailable, and furthermore, limited surgical space and resources restrain the feasibility of simultaneous kidney exchange cycles. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the bridge–donor reneging rate during non‐simultaneous kidney exchange cycles (NSKEC) in a prospective single‐center cohort study (n = 67). We describe the protocol used to prepare co‐registered donor–recipient pairs for non‐simultaneous surgeries, in an effort to minimize the reneging rate. In addition, in order to protect any recipients who might be left vulnerable by this arrangement, we proposed the use of standard criteria deceased‐donor kidneys to rectify the injustice in the event of any bridge–donor reneging. We report 17 successful NSKEC resulting in 67 living‐donor kidney transplants (LDKT) using 23 bridge–donors without donor renege and no intervening pairs became unavailable. We propose that NSKEC could increase LDKT, especially for difficult‐to‐match sensitized pairs (25 of our 67 pairs) in countries with limited transplantation resources. Our study confirms that NSKEC can be safely performed with careful patient–donor selection and non‐anonymous kidney exchanges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Systematic data on physical activity level in Indian kidney transplanted patients are limited. Physical activity is considered an essential part of healthy life style for all population including kidney transplant recipients. The International Physical Activity Questionnaires (IPAQ) is internationally accepted self-reported screening tool for assessment of physical activity. However, till date Gujarati and Hindi version of IPAQ is not validated for Indian kidney transplant recipients. Aim: To validate the Gujarati and Hindi translated version of IPAQ long form in Indian kidney transplant recipients. Method: Original English version of IPAQ-long form was translated in Gujarati and Hindi language and evaluated for face, construct, concurrent validity and test retest reliability among Gujarati and Hindi transplant recipients. Result: 4 questions out of 27 were modified with 80% consensus of panelist to achieve face validity of both version of questionnaire. Total physical activity score of Gujarati (r=0.83) and Hindi (r=0.72) version were positively correlated with 6MWD in male transplant patients suggesting accepted construct validity. There was high positive correlation noted between all component of English, Gujarati and Hindi version (r>0.8, p<0.05) having good concurrent validity and acceptable test retest reliability. Conclusion: The modified Gujarati and Hindi version of IPAQ long form showed acceptable validity and reliability for the assessment of physical activity among kidney transplant recipients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Renal transplantation is ideal modality of Renal Replacement Therapy (RRT) as it is cost effective and associated with quality of life. Induction immunosuppression is an immunosuppressive therapy given at the time of transplantation to reduce risk of acute rejection. Induction agents include lymphocyte depleting antibodies and Interleukin-2 (IL2) receptor antagonists. Commonly used lymphocyte depleting antibodies are 'Thymoglobulin' and 'Grafalon'. There is no study with Grafalon as induction agent in renal transplantation from India as until recently it was unavailable in India. Current study is the first report from India of Grafalon use as an induction agent in renal transplantation. Aim: The aim of the present study was to study safety and efficacy of 'Grafalon' as induction agent in kidney transplantation. Materials and Methods: This was a single center study of 11 patients who have received Grafalon as induction agent for renal transplantation. All received steroid pulse and Grafalon 4 mg/kg as induction. Maintenance immunosuppression consisted of prednisolone, tacrolimus and mycophenolate sodium. Results: Four patients (36.3%; 95% Confidence Interval (CI), 8 to 65%) developed biopsy proven acute rejection. Three patients had combined acute T cell and acute antibody mediated rejection and one had acute T cell mediated rejection. One patient died due to rhinocerebral mucormycosis and one graft was lost due to graft thrombosis. Two patients got urinary tract infection, one with wound infection and another one developed cytomegalovirus syndrome. Cost of Grafalon induction (4 mg/kg) was higher compared to Thymoglobulin (1.5 mg/kg). Conclusion: Induction with Grafalon was associated with high rate of acute rejection at the dosage used in the present study. So, cannot be recommended in clinical practice at this dose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. To ascertain the validity of kidney paired donations (KPDs) as an alternative strategy for increasing living donor kidney transplantations (LDKTs) in an LDKT-dominated transplant programme since directed kidney transplantation, ABO-incompatible or crossmatch-positive pairs are not feasible due to costs and infectious complications. Methods. This was a prospective single-centre study of 77 KPD transplantations (25 two-way, 7 three-way and 1 six-way exchange) from 1 January 2015 to 1 January 2016 of 158 registered donor recipient pairs. During this period, a total of 380 kidney transplantations [71 deceased donor kidney transplantations (DDKTs), 309 LDKTs] were performed. The reasons for opting for KPD were ABO incompatibility (n=45), sensitization (n=26) and better matching (n=6). Results. KPD matching was facilitated in 62% (n=98) of transplants. In all, 48.7% (n=77) of the transplants were completed in 2015, whereas 13.3% (n=21) of the matched patients were to undergo transplant surgery in early 2016 after getting legal permission. The waiting time for KPD was shorter compared with DDKT. The death-censored graft survival and patient survival were 98.7% (n=76) and 93.5% (n=72), respectively. In all, 14.2% (n=11) of patients had acute rejection. Match rates among sensitized (n=60) and O group patients (n=62) were 58.3% (n=35) and 41.9% (n=26), respectively. Of these, 43.3% (n=26) and 29% (n=18) of transplants were completed and 15% (n=9) and 12.9% (n=8), respectively, are waiting for legal permission. Conclusions. LDKT increased by 25% in 1 year in our single-centre KPD programme. Our key to success was the formation of a KPD registry, awareness and active counselling programs and developing a dedicated team. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pharmacology of the sirolimus and their use in renal transplant recipients are discussed here. In majority of the transplant centers, sirolimus whole-blood concentrations are measured by enzyme-linked immunoassays and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with ultraviolet or mass spectrometry detection. HPLC measures the parent drug and is very accurate but time-consuming. The recommended time for collection is 1 h prior to the next oral dose. Because of metabolic interactions, sirolimus should be given 4 h after cyclosporine, whereas sirolimus and Tacrolimus can be given simultaneously. The target sirolimus levels should be 5–15 ng/mL depending on immunologic risk, time of conversion and other immunosuppressive drugs. Sirolimus trough concentrations >15 ng/mL have been correlated with side effects such as hypertriglyceridemia, thrombocytopenia, and leukopenia. The 2009 Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) clinical practice guidelines for the care of kidney transplant recipients suggest monitoring sirolimus levels (2C). KDIGO recommend that if sirolimus is used, they should not be started until graft function is established and surgical wounds are healed (1B). KDIGO recommend that the combined use of sirolimus and calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) should be avoided, because they potentiate nephrotoxicity, particularly if used in the early period following transplantation. Conversion from CNI to sirolimus is generally not recommended when proteinuria >800 mg/day, acute rejection during the 3 months before conversion, estimated GFR < 40 mL/min, acute Banff 2A at any time post-transplant and dyslipidemia despite lipid lowering agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]