Search

Objectives: Primary sclerosing cholangitis is an autoimmune illness affecting the intrahepatic and/or extrahepatic bile ducts that has a varying clinical history and no clear therapy. Recurrence of primary sclerosing cholangitis after transplantation can cause recurring liver failure, decreased survival, and the necessity for retransplant. Here, we explored the incidence of recurrence while also identifying the risk factors of primary sclerosing cholangitis., Materials and Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we collected demographic and clinical data from patients with a history of primary sclerosing cholangitis after liver transplant between 2011 and 2021. With SPSS software, we compared results in 2 groups of patients (with and without recurrent sclerosing biliary cholangitis) in terms of demographic and clinical variables., Results: The study included 408 patients. Lower donor age and the occurrence of acute cellularrejection were shown to be key risk factors for recurrence of primary sclerosing cholangitis. Acute cellularrejection showed the best likelihood of predicting primary sclerosing cholangitis recurrence. As the number of acute cellular rejection episodes increased, so did the chance of primary sclerosing cholangitis. Death rate of patients with recurrence of primary sclerosing cholangitis was 40.8% (n = 20 patients) compared with 18.9% (n = 68 patients) in those without recurrence (significant at P < .001)., Conclusions: The recurrence of primary sclerosing cholangitis had a detrimental effect on survival after liver transplant. Modifiable risk variables have the potentialto affecttherapies on care and prevention of primary sclerosing cholangitis recurrence. Donor age and acute cellular rejection were risk factors for decreased survival and higher primary sclerosing cholangitis recurrence. The use of mycophenolate (Cellcept) increased recurrence, but tacrolimus reduced mortality.

Objectives: Coronavirus disease 2019 has resulted in significant morbidities and mortalities in nearly all parts ofthe world. There remain major concerns about management, timing, and safety of liver transplant in patients who have recovered from COVID-19. We aimed to study the clinical course and outcomes of patients with liver cirrhosis who recovered from COVID-19 and underwent liver transplant from deceased donors., Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on liver transplant recipients who underwent liver transplant from April 1, 2020, to January 30, 2021. We evaluated all recipients of liver transplantfrom deceased donors during this period in the COVID-19 pandemic., Results: There were 14 patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis who had recovered from COVID-19 as documented by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction test for SARS-CoV-2. Mean duration from COVID-19 to transplant surgery was 56.14 ± 29.96 days. Mortality occurred in 3 patients, and of whom 2 had been hospitalized and received medications for COVID-19 before transplant. Five patients had positive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction results for SARS-CoV-2 after liver transplant., Conclusions: This is a large reported series of patients with liver cirrhosis who have received liver transplant after recovery from COVID-19. We provided evidence that liver transplant from deceased donors should be considered in patients recovered from COVID-19, especially in those with deterioration of clinical status.

Objectives: Estimation of liver fat among living donor candidates is necessary before living donor liver transplant. This study aimed to investigate the usefulness of the controlled attenuation parameter compared with liver biopsy for pretransplant estimation of hepatic steatosis in living liver donors., Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, we included all individuals who underwent transient elastography with controlled attenuation parameter and ultrasonography-guided liver biopsy as a part of donor evaluations before living donor liver transplant. Clinical and laboratory data of living donor candidates were reviewed and collected., Results: Of 49 donor candidates included in this study, 21 (42.9%) had different degrees of hepatic macrosteatosis. Of the 21 donor candidates who had hepatic steatosis in liver biopsy, 13 individuals were diagnosed to have steatosis in transient elastography. Of the 28 donor candidates without hepatic steatosis in liver biopsy, 26 individuals showed no steatosis in transient elastography (odds ratio: 21.12; 95% CI, 3.91- 114.08; P < .001). Controlled attenuation parameter was useful in discriminating presence (P = .001) and grade of hepatic steatosis (P = .009) compared with liver biopsy with good sensitivity and specificity., Conclusions: The controlled attenuation parameter is a noninvasive method for detection of hepatic steatosis in living donor candidates and can be used as an adjunct to liver biopsy for screening of living donor candidates before liver transplant.

Objectives: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is a rapidly growing disease and is hypothesized to become the most common cause of liver cirrhosis in the near future. This study aimed to investigate trends of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis as an indication for liver transplant in Iranian patients., Materials and Methods: Liver transplant data from all adult patients (age > 18 y) who had undergone liver transplant between 1993 and 2017 at the Shiraz Organ Transplant Center (Shiraz, Iran) were reviewed. Underlying liver diseases leading to liver transplant were stratified according to year of transplant, and trends of increase or decline were analyzed. Kaplan-Meier curves were used for analysis of posttransplant survival of patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and patients with modified nonalcoholic steatohepatitis., Results: We evaluated 3184 liver transplant patients. Of these, 112 patients with biopsy-proven nonalcoholic steatohepatitis underwent liver transplant up to the end of 2017. Mean age of patients was 52.86 ± 9.01 years in those with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and 51.73 ± 7.91 years in those with modified nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (P > .05).The prevalence of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis as an indication for liver transplant was 0.8% in 2011, 0.36% in 2012, 1.9% in 2013, 4.01% in 2014, 2.89% in 2015, 6.65% in 2016, and 9.97% in 2017. The prevalence of modified nonalcoholic steatohepatitis was 2.4% in 2011, 2.88% in 2012, 2.71% in 2013, 2% in 2014, 2.17% in 2015, 2.13% in 2016, and 2.28% in 2017. We found that nonalcoholic steatohepatitis as a cause of liver transplant increased significantly during recent years (P < .001)., Conclusions: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is a rapidly growing indication for liver transplant among Iranian patients. Health care providers should consider programs for prevention and early diagnosis of patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis for proper treatment.

Objectives: Detection of hepatic steatosis in donors is an important step for selection of a suitable liver allograft in living-donor transplant. This study aimed to investigate the role of hepatic computed tomography volumetry as a noninvasive method for detection of hepatic steatosis in living liver donors., Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional study, individuals who had undergone liver biopsy as a pretransplant checkup before living-donor liver transplant were included. The segmental liver volumes were measured by computed tomography scan with intravenous contrast enhancement., Results: Our study included 179 individuals. Mean total volume of the liver was 1705.2 ± 256.5 cm³ in those with steatohepatitis and 1419.4 ± 241.2 cm³ in those without steatohepatitis (P < .001). Higher total volume of the liver (odds ratio of 1.005; 95% confidence interval, 1.001-1.010; P = .012) and total liver volume-to-standard liver volume ratio (odds ratio of 1.090; 95% confidence interval, 1.021-1.163; P = .009) were independent predictors of steatohepatitis. A cutoff value of 1531 cm³ for total liver volume was a predictor of presence of steatohepatitis in liver biopsies of donors (sensitivity = 83%; specificity = 71%; area under the curve = 0.809; P < .001)., Conclusions: Computed tomography volumetry may be considered as an auxiliary noninvasive method for estimation of hepatic steatosis/steatohepatitis and may be used as a guide to select donor candidates for liver biopsy.

Objectives: Liver transplant recipients are more susceptible to vancomycin-resistant enterococci colonization than healthy individuals. We investigated the prevalence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci colonization and its effect on the outcomes of liver transplant recipients., Materials and Methods: Patients who had undergone primary liver transplant at the Shiraz Organ Transplant Center from 2015 to 2017 were enrolled in this study. Demographic characteristics, laboratory test results, duration of stay in the intensive care unit, total duration of hospital stay, and clinical outcome data were extracted from the Shiraz Organ Transplant Center database. Posttransplant outcomes such as graft rejection, mortality, hospital stay, and kidney function tests were included for the first 90 days after transplant., Results: A total of 753 liver transplant recipients (470 males and 283 females) were included in this study. Vancomycin-resistant enterococci colonization was identified in 51 patients (6.8%) after transplant at the time of intensive care unit admission. Our study found no significant difference between outcomes for patients with vancomycin-resistant enterococci colonization and outcomes for patients without colonization, including graft rejection, mortality, hospital stay, and kidney function tests., Conclusions: Our study revealed that asymptomatic vancomycin-resistant enterococci colonization in liver transplant patients has no adverse effect on the duration of posttransplant hospital stay, early mortality rate, graft rejection rate, or kidney function compared with noncolonized patients.

Objectives: Liver transplant has been shown to be a good treatment option for patients with nonresectable tumors that are limited to liver and that do notrespond to medicaltreatment. In this study, our aim was to share our experience in management of patients with neuroendocrine tumors and liver metastasis by liver transplant with and without more extensive surgical interventions., Materials and Methods: We performed a 6-year (2011- 2017) retrospective study of data from the Namazi Hospital Transplant Research Center. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were determined based on pretransplant policy in our center. Our study included 15 patients with mean age of 33.3 years., Results: Of the 15 patients included, 53.3% (n = 8) had liver transplant alone, 26.6% (n = 4) had multiorgan transplant, 6.66% (n = 1) underwentWhipple procedure and liver transplant, and 6.66% (n = 1) had segmental ileal resection and liver transplant. Six early mortalities occurred during the posttransplant hospital stay, and 2 patients with multiorgan transplant died in the followup period. In addition, 1 patient needed retransplant during follow-up due to chronic rejection., Conclusions: In patients with neuroendocrine tumors, the therapeutic approach to the liver metastasis and the prognosis can be determined based on the natural history of the disease, severity and progression of symptoms,tumor biology, location, and differentiation. Early diagnosis and management are needed to allow less invasive treatment protocols, which could result in more favorable outcomes.

Objectives: Primary hyperoxaluria type 1 is an autosomal recessive disorder that causes overproduction and urinary excretion of oxalate. Liver transplant has been suggested as a treatment for primary hyperoxaluria type 1 since the defective enzyme is expressed in the liver. This study aimed to investigate results of combined liver and kidney, sequential, and preemptive livertransplantin patients with primary hyperoxaluria type 1., Materials and Methods: In this cohort study, we followed patients with primary hyperoxaluria type 1 who underwent liver transplant at our centerin Shiraz, Iran. Clinical and laboratory data of patients were gathered, and major outcomes, including renal failure after liver transplant, rejection, and mortality were recorded. Survival of patients was analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method., Results: Our study included 24 patients. There were 16 male (66.6%) and 8 female (33.33%) patients. Thirteen patients were in the pediatric age group (age < 18 y), and 11 patients were adults (age ≥ 18 y). Thirteen patients underwent sequential transplant, 8 patients underwent combined liver and kidney transplant, and 3 patients underwent preemptive transplant. All patients received organs from deceased donors. There were no statistically significant differences in mortality, rejection, and hemodialysis after transplant between those with sequential transplant and those with combined liver and kidney transplant (P > .05)., Conclusions: Liver transplant can be considered a treatment for patients with primary hyperoxaluria type 1. Combined liver and kidney transplant and preemptive liver transplant could be proper options for these patients.

Objectives: We aimed to determine outcomes and predictors of intraoperative-detected portal vein thrombosis in liver transplant recipients., Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 806 adult liver transplant recipients from Shiraz, Iran, to determine those with intraoperative-detected portal vein thrombosis. Patients with this complication were compared with age- and sex-matched patients without this complication. Background diseases, surgery parameters, hospital admission, reoperation, rethrombosis, acute rejection, and use of antico-agulants were assessed. Cox proportional hazards, logistic regression, and random classification forest and random survival forest plots were used for data analyses., Results: Mean age of patients was 44.7 ± 13.2 years. Patients with intraoperative-detected portal vein thrombosis (n = 91; 11.3%) had mortality ratio of 2.9 (range, 1.0-8.6) and 2-year survival of 78% versus 2-year survival rate of 92% in patients without this disease. Median time of survival in patients with this complication who died was 2 weeks versus 10 months in patients who died and did not have this complication. Random classification forest plots showed that high fasting blood sugar, autoimmune hepatitis, low prothrombin time, and cryptogenic cirrhosis were (in order) the main predictors of this complication. Random survival forest plots revealed that low prothrombin time, having intraoperative-detected portal vein thrombosis, Model for End Stage Liver Disease score, primary sclerosing cholangitis, diabetes mellitus, and hepatocellular carcinoma were (in order) the main predictors of death in liver transplant recipients. Low body mass index was associated with mortality in patients with intraoperative-detected portal vein thrombosis (by Cox proportional hazards)., Conclusions: One of every 9 liver transplant patients had intraoperative-detected portal vein thrombosis. Hazard of death was 2.9, and death occurred far earlier in patients with this complication. Improvements in diabetes mellitus care, prothrombin time, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score, and body mass index may improve outcomes of these patients.

Objectives: Human leukocyte antigen-G is an immuno-modulatory factor that affects acute allograft rejection and autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes mellitus. In this study, possible associations between human leukocyte antigen-G 14-bp insertion/deletion polymorphism and acute pancreas rejection were investigated., Materials and Methods: Human leukocyte antigen-G genotyping was assessed in 102 Iranian pancreas transplant recipients (including 41 with acute rejection and 61 with nonacute rejection). Results were compared with 100 individuals in a normal control group., Results: No significant differences in genotype frequencies of human leukocyte antigen-G 14-bp insertion / deletion were observed in recipients who had acute rejection episodes. On the other hand, the insertion / insertion genotype was a risk factor for susceptibility to type 1 diabetes mellitus (odds ratio = 3.82, 95% confidence interval, 1.37- 11.22; P = .005)., Conclusions: Our results provided evidence revealing that the human leukocyte antigen-G insertion / insertion genotype might be involved in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Objectives: Liver transplant is the most effective treatment modality for patients with end-stage liver disease, metabolic disorders, hepatic malignancy, and acute liver failure. When a graft fails after primary liver transplant, retransplant of the liver remains the only option. Here, we report the past 12-year experience of the Shiraz Transplant Center regarding liver retransplant., Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of a 12-year period (2004-2015) of the Shiraz Center in Iran., Results: Of the 3107 patients who had a liver transplant during the study period, 58 retransplants were performed (1.86%) in 57 patients. The leading cause of retransplant was primary nonfunction in 24 patients (41.4% of retransplant cases and 0.77% of all liver transplant cases). The second leading cause of retransplant was vascular complications in 25 patients (23 with hepatic artery thrombosis and 2 with portal vein thrombosis), accounting for 43.1% of retransplant cases and 0.80% of all liver transplant cases. In addition, 5 patients (8.6%) had retransplant for rejection, which accounted for 0.16% of all liver transplant cases. Four patients with retransplant (6.9%) had recurrence of primary disease, which accounted for 0.12% of all liver transplant cases. Most liver retransplants occurred early (≤ 30 days after primary transplant) at the Shiraz Transplant Center. Five-year survival rate after retransplant was 35%, and retransplant for hepatic artery thrombosis was more common in children., Conclusions: Because most patients required retransplants in the early period after primary transplant, the decision for retransplant must be considered carefully with full multidisciplinary evaluation and only in skilled hands. Retransplant in subgroups of patients with little chance of a successful outcome should be avoided.

Objectives: Patients with end-stage liver disease face various psychologic challenges. We aimed to compare levels of depression, anxiety, fatigue, sleepiness, and memory in patients before and after liver transplant., Materials and Methods: Forty patients (24 male, 16 female) were recruited from the liver transplant clinic affiliated with Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Patients between 18 and 60 years old with at least a 6th-grade level of education were included in the study; those with severe psychiatric problems were excluded. We performed the following assessments before and 1 month after liver transplant: Hospital Anxiety and Depression questionnaires, California Verbal Learning Test, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and Fatigue Severity Scale. Paired-sample t tests were used. P < .05 was considered significant., Results: Level of depression in study patients increased after transplant (7.42 vs 8.42; P = .008). We found improvements in categories of immediate memory (65.23 vs 60; P = .007), short delay free recall (10.52 vs 12.52; P < .001), short delay cued recall (11.42 vs 13.00; P = .001), long delay free recall (10.80 vs 12.50; P = .003), long delay cued recall (11.80 vs 13.25; P = .003), and recognition (14.65 vs 15.42; P = .003). Patient levels of fatigue (39.9 vs 33.2; P = .029) and sleepiness (10.8 vs 7.8; P = .004) decreased. Level of anxiety did not change significantly (12.6 vs 12.8; P = .642)., Conclusions: We observed higher levels of depression but improved fatigue, sleepiness, and memory function in patients after liver transplant. No significant change in patient level of anxiety was seen. Future direction is discussed.

Objectives: Although transplant teams understand the effects of donor characteristics on liver transplant outcomes, few studies have investigated the quality of livers obtained from poisoned donors. The aim of this study was to compare livers procured from poisoned donors with a matched control group., Materials and Methods: Liver transplant outcomes from poisoned donors and from donors with trauma-induced death (as the control group) were compared using data of an Organ Procurement Unit from 2000 to 2013. Procured livers were evaluated via histology findings before transplant. Recipient characteristics were assessed in both groups, and immediate and medium-term (up to 5 years after transplant) survival rates were compared with the use of Kaplan-Meier analyses and log-rank tests., Results: Over a 13-year organ donation program, 1485 livers from brain dead patients were donated. Among them, 115 poisoned donors were evaluated for liver grafts; of these, 74 successful liver transplants were performed. In the poisoned donors, the incidence of reversed cardiac arrest was 54.1%. Likewise, acute kidney injury was detected in 14.9% of the patients, and 16.2% needed urgent dialysis either for clearance of the toxic agents or for treatment of acute kidney injury. No significant differences were observed in 1- to 5-year survival rates, and log-rank test also showed a significance level of 0.83., Conclusions: Proper case selection strategies can be implemented to expand the donor pool, including use of poisoned donors. Hence, poisoning is not a contra-indication for a referral, which could lead to decreased mortality for patients requiring a liver transplant.

Objectives: Liver replacement continues to be the only definitive mode of therapy for children with end-stage liver disease. However, it remains challenging because of the rare donor organs, complex surgical demands, and the necessity to prevent long-term complications. Our objectives were to analyze 16 years of experience in the Shiraz University Organ Transplant Center., Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the records of 752 patients (< 18 years old) who underwent orthotopic liver transplant at our center over a 16-year period. Mean age was 90 months, and male-to-female ratio was 1.25. Of the 752 transplants, 354 were whole organs, 311 were from living related donors, and 87 were in situ split liver allografts. Patient and graft survival rates were determined at 1, 3, and 5 years, and results between groups were compared., Results: Overall mortality was 31.8%. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year patient survival rates were 77%, 69%, and 66%, respectively, whereas the respective graft survival rates were 75%, 68%, and 65%. We observed significant differences in survival according to graft type (log-rank test, P < .001). We also observed significant differences in survival probabilities according to age (log-rank test, P < .001). Cox regression was used to simultaneously analyze effects of age and graft type on survival. Both graft type and age significantly affected survival (P < .001). The 1-, 3, and 5-year survival rates for patients having whole organ transplants were 88%, 81%, and 78%. Patients who received living donor grafts had respective survival rates of 66%, 60%, and 58%, with rates of 65%, 47%, and 47% for patients who received split grafts., Conclusions: Our results were similar to those observed in the literature in terms of indication for transplant and posttransplant survival.

Objectives: Metabolic syndrome components, such as being overweight or having hypertension, hyperlipidemia, or diabetes mellitus, are common complications after liver transplant in pediatric patients with probable multifactorial causes and increase the risk of cardiovascular complications in adulthood. In this study, our aim was to evaluate the prevalence of these components both before and after transplant surgery., Materials and Methods: Our study included all children having liver transplant at our institution over a period of 20 years who were under 18 years old and had at least 6 months of posttransplant follow-up. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome components and pretransplant and posttransplant laboratory data of patients were evaluated., Results: Over the 20-year study period, 391 liver transplant patients were included in our study, in which 167 were girls (42.7%) and 224 were boys (57.3%). Patients showed a posttransplant hyperlipidemia rate of 7.5%, hyperglycemia rate of 22%, hypertension rate of 9.6%, and metabolic syndrome rate of 50.2%. Pretransplant, the rate of patients with metabolic syndrome was 10.5%., Conclusions: Our study confirmed that the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients after liver transplant increases dramatically and should be explored with further research.

Objectives: Budd-Chiari syndrome can lead to fulminant hepatic failure and cirrhosis. The treatment depends on the severity of disease. Liver transplant is a successful treatment option for those with advanced-stage disease., Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, we analyzed all liver transplants conducted for Budd-Chiari syndrome at the organ transplant unit of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran, from 1993 to January 2016. Overall, 3201 liver transplant procedures were performed. Among these, 68 presented with Budd-Chiari syndrome., Results: The median age was 31 years among 27 male and 41 female patients. Five patients received pretransplant interventions, with 2 treated with inferior vena cava stenting and 3 having transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts. Sixty-five patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome received deceased-donor grafts and 3 received living-donor grafts. Among the Budd-Chiari transplant patients, 6 patients died. Five deaths occurred in the early posttransplant period, and 1 patient retransplanted after 2 years for recurrence of disease died due to graft failure. The five-year survival rate was 89% among patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome., Conclusions: Liver transplant along with posttransplant anticoagulation therapy can improve the survival of patients with advanced-stage Budd-Chiari syndrome.

Objectives: One of the main concerns in liver transplant is the prolonged ischemia time, which may lead to primary graft nonfunction or delayed function. N-acetylcysteine is known as a hepato-protective agent in different studies, which may improve human hepatocyte viability in steatotic donor livers. This study investigated whether N-acetylcysteine can decrease the rate of ischemia-reperfusion syndrome and improve short-term outcome in liver transplant recipients., Materials and Methods: This was a double-blind, randomized, control clinical trial of 115 patients. Between April 2012 and January 2013, patients with orthotopic liver transplant were randomly divided into 2 groups; in 49 cases N-acetylcysteine was added to University of Wisconsin solution as the preservative liquid (experimental group), and in 66 cases standard University of Wisconsin solution was used (control group). We compared postreperfusion hypotension, inotrope requirement before and after portal reperfusion, intermittent arterial blood gas analysis and potassium measurement, pathological review of transplanted liver, in-hospital complications, morbidity, and mortality., Results: There was no significant difference between the groups regarding time to hepatic artery reperfusion, hospital stay, vascular complications, inotrope requirement before and after portal declamping, and blood gas analysis. Hypotension after portal reperfusion was significantly more common in experimental group compared with control group (P = .005). Retransplant and in-hospital mortality were comparable between the groups., Conclusions: Preservation of the liver inside Univer-sity of Wisconsin solution plus N-acetylcysteine did not change the rate of ischemia reperfusion injury and short-term outcome in liver transplant recipients.

Objectives: In some cases of liver transplant, standard hepatic artery reconstruction may be difficult or impossible due to inadequate flow of the recipient's hepatic artery, as a result of stenosis, intimal dissection, or anomalies of the hepatic artery. We compared splenic artery transposition with extra-anatomic jump graft as 2 alternative methods for hepatic artery reconstruction in these situations., Materials and Methods: We reviewed the files of 2135 liver transplant recipients from March 2011 to February 2016 at the Shiraz Transplant Center. Data of 93 patients with unusual hepatic artery reconstruction were analyzed to assess outcomes, morbidity, mortality, and pre- and posttransplant parameters (both clinical and paraclinical). Patients were divided into 2 groups: 17 with splenic artery transposition (splenic artery group) and 76 with extra-anatomic jump grafts (control group)., Results: There was only 1 occurrence (5.8%) of hepatic artery thrombosis in the splenic artery group causing extra-anatomic jump graft. However, in the control group, there were 4 occurrences (5.2%) of hepatic artery thrombosis, causing 1 revision of anastomosis and 3 retransplant procedures. No deaths due to hepatic artery complications were reported in the 2 groups. Three-year survival rate was 87.5% in the splenic artery group and 68.9% in the control group., Conclusions: Splenic artery transposition is an acceptable method for hepatic artery reconstruction in deceased-donor liver transplant procedures with no greater rates of complication or morbidity than extra-anatomic jump grafts. Less operation time and better exposure during surgery are advantages of this method.

A 50-year-old man sustained blunt abdominal trauma in a motor vehicle accident. He underwent exploratory laparotomy on the day of trauma, and severe bleeding from the base of the small bowel mesentery was controlled by mass ligation and through-and-through suturing. After transfer to our center, repeat exploratory laparotomy showed ischemic small intestine, ischemic right colon, and severe pancreatic trauma. The severely injured organs were excised including the entire small bowel, pancreas, spleen, stomach, and right hemicolon. The next day, a modified multivisceral transplant was performed including stomach, pancreaticoduodenal complex, and small bowel transplant. Postoperative complications included an intra-abdominal collection that was drained percutaneously with ultrasonographic guidance and severe rejection that was treated with anti-thymocyte globulin. In summary, for select patients who have severe abdominal trauma may be treated with acute multivisceral transplant.

Objectives: This study sought to evaluate in pediatric liver transplant recipients the effects of hybrid antiviral therapy on the rate of posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder., Materials and Methods: All pediatric patients (87 cases) who had undergone a liver transplant between April 2011 and March 2012 took part in the study and received hybrid antiviral treatment (case group). Epstein-Barr virus polymerase chain reaction was monitored intermittently. The results were compared to those of a historical control group including 117 pediatric patients who received a liver transplant between April 2009 and March 2011. Follow-up was 27 to 47 months in the control group and 12 to 26 months in the case group., Results: Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder occurred in 12 patients in control group (10.2%) and 5 patients in case group (5.7%) (P = .249). Of 12 cases of posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder, death occurred in 5 cases in the control group (41.7%), while no posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder-associated death was seen in the case group (P = .086)., Conclusions: Although hybrid antiviral treatment did not result in a statistically significant decrease in posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder and posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder-associated mortality rates, considering the limited number of posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder cases in this study, this decrease may be interpreted as noticeable, and we advise using this strategy for pediatric patients undergoing a liver transplant.

Objectives: This study sought to determine the prevalence of hepatocellular carcinoma and other premalignant lesions in children with hereditary tyrosinemia type 1 who had undergone an orthotopic liver transplant at the Shiraz Transplant Center, in Shiraz, Iran., Materials and Methods: Between September 2006, and June 2011, thirty-six patients with hereditary tyrosinemia type 1 received a liver transplant from a deceased (whole or split) or a living-related donor. Clinical records and pathologic specimens, before and after surgery, for each case were reviewed. In addition, ultrasound, abdominal computed tomographic imaging scan findings, and levels of alpha-fetoprotein were recorded., Results: Twenty-two patients with hepatic nodules larger than 10 mm underwent a Tru-Cut needle biopsy before their liver transplant. In 2 patients, a diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma was made by pathologic examination; in the other 20, cirrhosis was confirmed with no evidence of malignancy. After pathologic examination of the explanted livers, the largest nodules in the 36 patients were 35 mm. Five cases had at least 1 nodule of hepatocellular carcinoma. Three of the other patients had small cell dysplasia in some of nodules. All 5 cases with hepatocellular carcinoma were patients older than 2 years of age (19 patients were older than 2 years of age). All patients with hepatocellular carcinoma received pretransplant nitisinone treatment. All patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after their liver transplant are alive at the time of this writing., Conclusions: The prevalence of cell dysplasia and hepatocellular carcinoma in children with hereditary tyrosinemia type 1 in our study is not as high as that reported previously, so it appears that patients older than 2 years of age require a liver transplant.

Objectives: Epstein-Barr virus primary infection and/or reactivation may play a major role in the incidence of posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder in organ recipients. We assessed Epstein-Barr virus viral load in liver transplant patients suspected of having Epstein-Barr virus/ posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder at specified times after transplant and evaluated the clinical findings and posttransplant complications., Materials and Methods: In the 696 patients who underwent liver transplant in this retrospective study, Epstein-Barr virus viral load was examined intermittently in 127 liver transplant recipients who were suspected to have Epstein-Barr virus infection/disease. Sampling was performed during 4 years from July 2009 to May 2013 using real-time polymerase chain reaction assay. Clinical and pathologic data were gathered by reviewing medical records., Results: There were 78 of the 127 suspected patients (61%) who exhibited Epstein-Barr virus DNAemia and 19 patients had posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder. The median EBV viral load of posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder patients was significantly higher than unaffected patients. Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder was diagnosed clinically in 34 subjects (4.9%). Estimated mortality rate of posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder patients was 35% during 1.5-year follow-up after transplant., Conclusions: Monitoring Epstein-Barr virus load may enable detection of Epstein-Barr virus infection/disease in liver transplant patients suspected of having the virus, even several weeks before the onset of any clinical manifestations, especially in pediatric patients who have high incidence and mortality from posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder.

Objectives: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) establishes a lifelong, asymptomatic infection in immunocompetent hosts. Interleukin-17 producing CD4+ T-cells (Th-17) are a subtype of CD4+ T-cells. The precise role of Th-17 responses during cytomegalovirus replication has not been elucidated, although recent studies suggest that infections such as murine cytomegalovirus induce a Th-17 response. Th-17 cells also have been associated with allograft rejection and autoimmune diseases. In this study, we tried to find the relation of cytomegalovirus infection and interleukin 17 (IL-17) cytokine in liver-transplanted patients., Materials and Methods: Two groups of patients were evaluated in this study. The first group consisted of 54 cytomegalovirus uninfected livertransplanted patients, and the second group consisted of 15 cytomegalovirus-infected patients. Three ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid-treated blood samples were collected from each patient on days 1, 4 and 7 post liver transplant. For diagnosing cytomegalovirus infection antigenemia and Taq-Man real-time polymerase chain reaction protocols were used. Also, to determine the expression level of IL-17 gene, an in-house SYBR green real-time polymerase chain reaction technique was used., Results: Using antigenemia and also Taq-Man real-time polymerase chain reaction helps find active cytomegalovirus infection, and the load of cytomegalovirus in each patient. The first group of patients showed that IL-17 expression level was down-regulated after day 4 of sampling. But in cytomegalovirus-infected patients, IL-17 expression level was increased significantly. The results between IL-17 gene expression level between the 2 groups of patients showed that IL-17 expression level significantly increased in second group during day 4 (P = .038) and 7 (P = .009) postliver transplant., Conclusions: Significant increase of IL-17 mRNA levels in cytomegalovirus-infected group compared with the uninfected one reinforced the role of IL-17 as a proinflammatory cytokine dealing with cytomegalovirus infection in liver transplanted patients.

Objectives: Patients who have liver transplant are at high risk of developing de novo malignancies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate incidence and histologic type of de novo malignancies after liver transplant in a liver transplant center., Materials and Methods: In 1700 patients who had orthotopic liver transplant from deceased and living donors from January 1992 to October 2012, de novo malignancies after transplant were analyzed., Results: There were 38 patients (2.2%) who developed de novo malignancy. Pathologic diagnosis was posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder in 24 patients (63%), gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma in 4 patients (10%), Kaposi sarcoma in 3 patients (8%), pancreatic head adenocarcinoma in 2 patients (5%), papillary thyroid carcinoma in 1 patient (3%), lumbosacral multiple myeloma in 1 patient (3%), conjunctive carcinoma in 1 patient (3%), testicular cancer in 1 patient (3%), and metastatic adenocarcinoma to the vertebrae of unknown origin in 1 patient (3%). In the 24 patients who had posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder, 20 patients (83%) were children aged <10 years, and 5 patients (21%) died of this disease., Conclusions: Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder was the most common malignancy among liver transplant recipients. This disease primarily involved children and was a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Preventive and early diagnostic strategies are justified to decrease morbidity and mortality from de novo malignancy after liver transplant.

Objectives: To identify the predictors of overall survival and tumor-free survival of 88 hepatocellular carcinoma patients who were treated with orthotopic liver transplant at Shiraz Organ Transplant Center., Materials and Methods: We performed this retrospective study after reviewing the transplant database of all patients who underwent orthotopic liver transplant secondary to hepatocellular carcinoma and liver cirrhosis. Hepatocellular carcinoma was diagnosed in 70 patients before liver transplant and 18 patients on histologic examination of the explanted livers. Cox regression identified independent factors that affected posttransplant survival., Results: The overall survival rate was 83% and the tumor-free survival rate was 79.5%. Independent factors for tumor recurrence were Milan criteria, alpha-fetoprotein level before operation ≥ 400 ng/mL, tumor grade, vascular invasion, and age. Vascular invasion (odds ratio, 5; 95% confidence interval, 1.1 to 25.496; P = .049) and tumor grade (odds ratio, 14.42; 95% confidence interval, 3.652 to 56.95; P < .001 were statistically significant., Conclusions: Vascular invasion and tumor grade were predictive factors for tumor-free survival.

Objectives: Type 1 diabetes mellitus is an emerging epidemic worldwide and results from autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing β cells. Islet transplanting is a potential treatment for type 1 diabetes mellitus., Materials and Methods: The Shiraz Organ Transplant Center is a leading center for organ transplants, especially pancreatic transplants, in Iran. For this reason, we want to establish an islet transplanting program. Here, we briefly describe our experience with islet isolation on 6 pancreata from deceased donors. We discussed the necessary equipment required for this procedure, as well as the professionals needed and a specially planned facility., Results: Islet yield was ≤ 100 000 (islet equivalent), viability 40% to 45%, and the purity was 30% to 45%. We do not have a refrigerated COBE processor for purification; therefore, the yield was low. Our experience shows that we should improve things, so as to acquire more islets for developing clinical grade cell therapy., Conclusions: Overall, isolation costs are high, and accessing a safer, more economic, and persistent source of material and reagents will improve this technique.

Objectives: This study sought to investigate discarded organs at the Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran., Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of Shiraz Transplant Center database regarding discarded organ during May 2010 and December 2013. Our study investigated 80 unused liver donors' characteristics. The data included age, sex, cause of discard, cause of brain death, hypotension during hospitalization of donors, and result of liver biopsy., Results: Among 780 grafts, 80 livers (10.25%), between May 2010 and December 2013, were unsuitable for transplant. Among the donors whose livers were discarded, 36 were women (45%) and 44 were men (55%) (mean age, 43.7 ± 14 years; range, 1-67 y). The most common causes of brain death were cerebrovascular accidents 27 (33.8%), trauma 27 (33.8%), aneurysm, and subarachnoid hemorrhage 13 (16.3%). The most common cause of unused organ were fatty liver 50 (62.5%) and necrosis 25 (31%) (steatosis more than 40%)., Conclusions: Old age, cerebrovascular accidents, and severe steatosis ≥ 40 were the most common associated factors in organ discard in this study.

Objectives: New onset diabetes mellitus after transplant is one of the major metabolic complications after liver transplant. Development of impaired fasting glucose after liver transplant is thought to be associated with increased risk of cardiovascular mortality and has not been well studied before. The aim of this study was to evaluate incidence and risk factors of new onset diabetes mellitus after transplant and impaired fasting glucose in liver transplant patients., Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional study, all adult patients (aged≥18 years) who were transplanted because of chronic liver diseases from June 2002 to September 2010 at Shiraz Liver Transplant Center were evaluated for developing diabetes and impaired fasting glucose., Results: Totally, 86 patients (18.81%) were found to have diabetes after liver transplant. Forty patients (27 men and 13 women; 8.75%) developed new onset diabetes mellitus after transplant and 36 patients (7.87%) developed impaired fasting glucose after liver transplant. The mean age of patients with new onset diabetes mellitus after transplant was higher than that of nondiabetic patients (P = .001). Mean fasting plasma glucose before liver transplant was significantly higher in diabetic patients compared with nondiabetic patients (P = .002) (5.20±0.93 mmol/L vs 4.44±0.56 mmol/L) (93.86±16.80 mg/dL vs 80±10.14 mg/dL). Patients with new onset diabetes mellitus after transplant received higher doses of tacrolimus as immunosuppressive medication than nondiabetic patients (P = .001)., Conclusions: Fasting plasma glucose before transplant can predict development of new onset diabetes mellitus after transplant. Age and tacrolimus dosage are independent risk factors for new onset diabetes mellitus after transplant in our patients.

Arthrogryposis-renal tubular dysfunction-cholestasis syndrome (MIM No. 208085) is a rare multisystem disorder involving the liver, kidney, skin, and central nervous and musculoskeletal systems. The syndrome is an autosomal-recessive trait, associated with germ-line mutations in the VPS33B gene. We report an Iranian boy of consanguineous cousin parents who had congenital deformities of the upper and lower extremities, severe ichthyosis, cholestasis, intractable pruritus, metabolic acidosis, and failure to thrive. Owing to cholestasis, severe intractable pruritus, and poor quality of life, he underwent a living-related liver transplant from his mother, and his ichthyosis and pruritus dramatically improved. To the best of our knowledge, this is a first case of someone with arthrogryposis-renal tubular dysfunction-cholestasis syndrome who underwent a liver transplant and is in good condition more than 5 years after surgery.

Objectives: Transplanting of pancreatic grafts is an established treatment for diabetes mellitus. Polymorphisms in genes, coding for proteins involved in an immune response, may influence immunologic and nonimmunologic mechanisms that lead to allograft loss. Vitamin D receptor agonists have been shown to increase long-term allograft survival in humans., Materials and Methods: Twenty-one pancreatic recipients transplanted in the Transplantation center of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences were selected and genotyped for the polymorphism of the vitamin D receptor genes (FokI), and the association of each genotype with acute rejection was evaluated. A control group of 100 unrelated otherwise healthy individuals, from the Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization were enrolled. The individuals were selected from Shiraz (a city located in Southern Iran), and the genotype frequency was compared with control group., Results: The overall prevalence acute rejection was 28% (6/21). In the genotype study, homozygous FF presented in 15 patients (71%), heterozygous Ff presented in 6 patients (29%), and no homozygous ff was identified. In the control group, there were 50% with FF, 48% with Ff, and 2% with the ff genotype identified. The only genotype that was detected in rejection group was FF, while the frequency of FF in the nonrejection group was 60%., Conclusions: This study examined several patients to determine whether the vitamin D receptor (FokI) genotype is involved in acute allograft rejection and requires deeper investigation.

Objectives: The Shiraz Organ Transplant Center, the largest transplant center in Iran, has expanded its program of organ transplant during recent years. This article seeks to summarize organ transplantation over the last 2 decades and evaluate its status as of 2011., Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical records of all organ transplants performed in our center in 2011. We reviewed the patients' demographics, underlying disease, operation details as well as postoperative complications., Results: During this period, 655 organ transplants including 345 liver, 297 kidney, 29 pancreas, and 11 intestine and multivisceral transplants were done. Among 345 liver transplants, 291 patients received a deceased-donor graft including 18 cases of split liver transplants while 54 patients received living-donor liver transplants. The 1-year graft and patient survival rates were 90.1% and 91%., Conclusions: In recent years, our program in organ transplants has expanded in number and variety of organs transplanted. This improvement is related to our multidisciplinary strategies to expand the donor pool and the experiences obtained during our transplant activities.

Objectives: Tacrolimus is widely used as an immunosuppressive drug in liver transplant recipients with a narrow therapeutic range and variable individualized pharmacokinetics. Tacrolimus is a substrate of cytochrome P-450 3A enzyme and the drug transporter, P-glycoprotein., Materials and Methods: We determined the genotypic frequencies of cytochrome P-4503A5 (rs776746), and ABCB1 (rs1045642), single nucleotide polymorphisms in a population of 100 Iranian liver transplant patients, and investigated the influence of the above-mentioned single nucleotide polymorphisms on tacrolimus concentrations. At 7 and 30 days after transplant, tacrolimus dosages (mg/kg/d), trough blood levels (T0), and dose-adjusted concentrations (concentration/dosage ratio) were determined. Polymerase chain reaction, followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, was used for genotyping cytochrome P-4503A5*3 [6986A>G] as well as ABCB1 [3435C>T]., Results: Ninety-five percent of the population showed a cytochrome P-4503A5*3/*3 genotype. ABCB13435TT genotype was observed in 33 cases (33%); whereas 51 cases (51%) carried 3435CT, and 16 cases (16%) carried 3435CC. With regard to the ABCB1 and cytochrome P-4503A5, they showed no influence on tacrolimus dosing requirements at 1 week or 1 month after transplant. No association of any genetic variant with the acute rejection rate was found., Conclusions: Finally, as the liver donor genotype influences tacrolimus pharmacokinetics with regard to expression of cytochrome P-4503A5, far more than the genotype of the recipient; therefore, it should be considered before recommending any personal immunosuppressive treatment based on pharmacogenetics.

Kidney transplant is the final treatment for patients with end-stage renal disease. Urinary leakage is the most-common surgical complication early after transplant. Another complication in the early posttransplant period is segmental allograft infarction. We report a kidney recipient who developed urinary leakage secondary to a segmental infarction of the upper pole of the transplanted kidney 2 months after transplant. The patient was treated successfully by a partial nephrectomy of the infracted upper lobe of the kidney. Three months after the partial nephrectomy of the allograft, serum blood urea nitrogen and creatinine were normal, and the patient was able to partake in her daily activities. Partial nephrectomy in the context of infarction of a kidney allograft is safe and can be used in similar cases.

Objectives: Aspergillus has become an increasingly frequent cause of life-threatening opportunistic infections in liver transplant recipients. This study seeks to determine the incidence of invasive aspergillosis in liver transplant recipients using routine and molecular methods in a teaching hospital in Shiraz, the unique center for liver transplant in Iran., Materials and Methods: Four hundred eight recipients who underwent liver transplant were followed for Aspergillus infections by microscopic examination, culture, and nested polymerase chain reaction. Blood samples were cultured by bedside inoculation to BACTEC medium., Results: The female-to-male ratio was 151:257 (mean age, 29.6 years; mean hospitalization, 26 days). Sensitivity and specificity of the nested polymerase chain reaction was 92.8% and 94%. Aspergillosis was detected in 19 recipients (4.6%) by routine and molecular method (4 proven, 10 probable, and 5 possible) of whom 12 recipients died (63.2%)., Conclusions: This study found the incidence rate of invasive aspergillosis as an uncommon complication of liver transplant recipient cases but associated with poor outcomes. The rate is consistent with those reported in previous studies, but molecular assay that is more-sensitive and specific was used in the present study.

Objectives: Infectious complications (such as liver abscesses) remain one of the major causes of posttransplant morbidity and mortality. Management may be problematic and is often based on experience with hepatic abscess in nontransplant patients. We reviewed our experience with hepatic abscess in liver transplant recipients to assess their presentation, clinical features, treatment, and outcome., Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of all liver transplant in Shiraz transplant center from September 1997 through September 2008 was performed. Hepatic abscess was defined as a parenchymal hepatic lesion consistent with abscess (as described by a radiologist), positive liver or concurrent blood cultures, or both (within 24 hours), and compatible clinical findings., Results: Of 560 liver recipients, we identified 5 patients (23-42 y) who had experienced 7 episodes of hepatic abscess, 30-240 days after transplant. All patients had received liver from deceased donors. Biliary reconstruction was done by duct-to-duct anastomosis in 4 and hepatico-jejunostomy in 1 case. Pretransplant diagnoses included hepatitis B cirrhosis, autoimmune hepatitis (2 cases), Caroli disease, and cryptogenic cirrhosis. Liver aspirates showed E. coli in 4 cases, and Aspergillus in 1 case. The main predisposing factor was bile-to-duct anastomosis stricture in 3, diabetes mellitus in 2, and hepatic artery thrombosis in 1 of the patients. Two patients died owing to liver and multiorgan failure, despite percutaneous and operative drainage with broad spectrum antibiotics and antifungals., Conclusions: Hepatic abscess, a rare complication after liver transplant, was associated with hepatic artery thrombosis, biliary anastomosis stricture, and diabetes mellitus. Mortality was higher than in patients who had not undergone transplant. Prolonged antibiotic therapy and drainage are required to improve the outcome in these patients.

Objectives: The classic technique for orthotopic liver transplant consists of the total excision of the retrohepatic inferior vena cava during native hepatectomy. Controversy about the effects of the classic technique on postoperative renal function continues. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the chosen hepatectomy technique on postoperative renal function., Materials and Methods: Of 253 patients who received an orthotopic liver transplant between June 2006 and July 2008 in the Shiraz transplant unit, only 15 underwent operation with the classic technique. Patient demographics and factors including cold ischemic time, warm ischemic time, operative time, transfusions, blood loss, and early postoperative renal function were assessed retrospectively. The criteria for acute renal failure were a serum creatinine level of > 133 micromol/L (1.5 mg/dL), an increase in the baseline serum creatinine level by 50%, or oliguria requiring renal replacement therapy., Results: All patients received a liver from a deceased donor, and none required venovenous bypass during the operation. The minimum mean arterial blood pressure value of the patients during clamping was 65 -/+ 19 mm Hg. The mean preoperative plasma creatinine level was 87.51 -/+ 39.78 micromol (0.99 -/+ 0.45 mg/dL). During the first week after transplant, 7 patients (46.6%) experienced acute renal failure, and 3 of those 7 required renal replacement therapy. By the sixth postsurgical month, 4 of those 7 patients had died (1 from adult respiratory distress syndrome, 2 from sepsis, and 1 from recurrent cholangiocarcinoma). In all other patients, the plasma creatinine level had returned to the normal range by the third postsurgical week 3 or during short-term follow-up., Conclusions: Use of the classic technique for orthotopic liver transplant may increase the rate of postoperative renal failure, but that complication usually resolves during short-term follow-up.

Background: Wilson disease is a disorder of copper metabolism characterized by copper overload. A mutation in the ATP7B gene causes dysfunction of ATP7B protein and a reduction in copper excretion into the bile in hepatocytes. Excess copper accumulation leads to liver injury. D-penicillamine primarily can inhibit fibrogenesis and prevent the appearance of scar lesions in the liver. We studied this phenomenon in our patients., Materials and Methods: Pathology slides from the explanted livers of 26 patients diagnosed as having Wilson disease with hepatoneurologic manifestations between 2000 and 2008 who had undergone a liver transplant were investigated retrospectively. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to their history of D-penicillamine use before transplant. The degree of fibrosis and inflammation were classified as mild (1), moderate (2), and severe (3), and were reviewed by an impartial hepatopathologist., Results: Of 26 patients (20 male, 6 female) who had Wilson disease with a mean age of 17.6 -/+ 8.6 years, 69% (18/26) had a history of D-penicillamine use before liver transplant from 6 months to 9 years (mean, 3.4 -/+ 2.7 years). In the D-penicillamine group, 14 patients (77%) had grade 1 fibrosis. Grade 2 and 3 fibrosis was seen in 5.6% and 16% of patients, respectively. In the D-penicillamine group, inflammation was grade 3 in 44% (8/18), grade 2 in 44% (8/18), and grade 1 in 11% of the patients (2/18). In the non- D-penicillamine group (8 patients), grades of fibrosis were grade 3 (62%), grade 2 (25%), and grade 1 (12%); 87% of the patients had grade 2 and 3 inflammation. The degree of fibrosis was significantly lower in the D-penicillamine group than it was in the non-D-penicillamine group (P < .05)., Conclusion: D-penicillamine may reduce the rate of liver fibrogenesis in patients with Wilson disease.

Postoperative acute renal failure is a frequent and serious medical complication following orthotopic liver transplant. Here, we report our experiences with liver transplant recipients who developed acute renal failure in the early period following orthotopic liver transplant. Among 100 liver transplants performed between April 1993 and January 2004, we retrospectively analyzed 91 patients (mean age, 29.9 +/- 14.0 years) who had undergone orthotopic liver transplant. The underlying causes of liver failure were cryptogenic liver cirrhosis (n=27), viral hepatitis (n= 21) (hepatitis-B-related liver cirrhosis [n=13], hepatitis-C-related liver cirrhosis [n=7], and hepatitis-B- and C-related liver cirrhosis [n=1]), autoimmune hepatitis (n=18), Wilson's disease (n=10), primary sclerosing cholangitis (n=8), biliary atresia (n=3), Budd-Chiari syndrome (n=2), and primary biliary cirrhosis (n=2). The immunosuppressive regimen included mycophenolate mofetil (azathioprine for 10 patients), cyclosporine, and steroids. Six patients received a combination of tacrolimus and steroids. Ten patients (10.9%) experienced acute renal failure, 7 (70%) were men, and none of them required renal replacement therapy and/or died. Four patients were diagnosed as having cryptogenic liver cirrhosis; 2 with hepatitis-C-related liver cirrhosis, 2 with autoimmune liver cirrhosis; 1 with primary biliary cirrhosis; and 1 hepatitis-B-related liver cirrhosis. Six patients were Child-Pugh's classification C, and the others were B. The rate of postoperative acute renal failure in our patients was relatively low when compared with other series, and our outcomes were good.

Objective: Acute rejection remains an important cause of graft loss after renal transplantation, and cytokines are key mediators in the induction and effector phases of all immune and inflammatory responses. However, the influence of gene polymorphisms on the functional immune response of transplant recipient outcomes remains controversial., Materials and Methods: The amplification refractory mutation system polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the interleukin-10 (IL-10) (-1082 G/A), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) (-308 G/A), and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) (+874 T/A) single nucleotide polymorphisms in 100 of the first adult kidney recipients at our institution who were receiving cyclosporine-based immunosuppressive therapy. The diagnosis of acute rejection was based on clinical and histologic findings according to the Banff criteria., Results: The results of multivariate analyses showed no significant association between episodes of acute rejection and single nucleotide polymorphisms in IL- 10, TNF-alpha genes, or dinucleotide repeat polymorphisms in the IFN-gamma gene., Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that cytokine gene polymorphisms did not influence the early outcome of kidney transplantation.