Solid organ transplantation in HIV-infected individuals: an update

Transplant advocacy in the era of the human immunodeficiency virus organ policy equity act

In 2013, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Organ Policy Equity (HOPE) Act was passed to permit the conduct of research on the transplantation of organs from donors infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) into recipients who are HIV-positive. The HOPE Act workshop had many objectives including the discussion of the ethical issues involved in HIV-positive to HIV-positive transplantation, the informed consent process, and the role of independent advocates in the context of HIV to HIV transplantation. As of 2018, 22 transplant hospitals are approved, or undergoing approval, to perform HIV-positive to HIV-positive transplant surgeries, and this number is expected to grow. This study aims to: (i) briefly review the history and research of HIV+ transplantation prior to the HOPE Act, (ii) describe the ethical principles supporting the HOPE Act, (iii) characterize the informed consent process, and (iv) provide guidance regarding the role of independent advocates in the context of HIV-positive to HIV-positive transplantation.

Challenges in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in the HIV/HCV-coinfected patient

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV are common coinfections that convey a shortened lifespan, mostly related to liver disease. Treatment against HCV in the coinfected patient is notoriously more complex and challenging. There are no optimal treatment algorithms for HIV/HCV coinfected patients as efficacy of approved anti-HCV therapies is low with relevant side effects. The use of direct-acting antivirals for anti-HCV therapy has the potential to improve therapeutic efficacy, but also increase side effects and drug-drug interactions. In spite of all of this, the most important and significant fact is that chronic hepatitis C is potentially curable, and the eradication of the HCV infection is a crucial outcome in this population. The establishment of a productive collaboration among the regulatory agencies, the medical community and the pharmaceutical industry could lead to faster access to more effective HCV therapies for the coinfected patient and eventually stop the progression of liver disease in these patients.

Estimating the potential pool of HIV-infected deceased organ donors in the United States

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is no longer a contraindication to transplantation. For HIV-infected patients, HIV-infected deceased donors (HIVDD) could attenuate the organ shortage and waitlist mortality. However, this practice would violate United States federal law. The goal of this study was to estimate the potential impact of legalizing transplantation of HIV-infected organs by quantifying the potential pool of HIVDD. Using Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) data, HIV-infected deaths compatible with donation were enumerated. Using HIV Research Network (HIVRN) data, CD4 count, plasma HIV-1 RNA level, AIDS-defining illnesses and causes of death were examined in potential HIVDD. Using UNOS data, evaluated donors who later demonstrated unanticipated HIV infections were studied. From NIS, a yearly average of 534 (range: 481-652) potential HIVDD were identified, with 63 (range: 39-90) kidney-only, 221 (range: 182-255) liver-only and 250 (range: 182-342) multiorgan donors. From HIVRN, a yearly average of 494 (range: 441-533) potential HIVDD were identified. Additionally, a yearly average of 20 (range: 11-34) donors with unanticipated HIV infection were identified from UNOS. Deceased HIV-infected patients represent a potential of approximately 500-600 donors per year for HIV-infected transplant candidates. In the current era of HIV management, a legal ban on the use of these organs seems unwarranted and likely harmful.

Liver transplantation in HCV/HIV positive patients

Since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in 1996 for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients, the incidence of liver diseases secondary to co-infection with hepatitis C has increased. Although data on the outcome of liver transplantation in HIV-infected recipients is limited, the overall results to date seem to be comparable to that in non-HIV-infected recipients. Liver transplant centers are now accepting HIV-infected individuals as organ recipients. Post-transplantation HIV replication is controlled by HAART. Hepatitis C re-infection of the liver graft, however, remains an important problem because cirrhotic changes of the liver graft may be more rapid in HIV-infected recipients. Interactions between the HAART components and immunosuppressive drugs influence drug metabolism and therefore meticulous monitoring of drug blood level concentrations is required. The risk of opportunistic infection in HIV-positive transplant patients seems to be similar to that in HIV-negative transplant recipients.

Nevirapine-induced stevens johnson-syndrome and fulminant hepatic failure requiring liver transplantation

We describe a case of nevirapine-induced Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) requiring liver transplantation. Five weeks prior to admission, a 57-year-old female with HIV infection had been switched to a nevirapine-based regimen of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) with a CD4 cell count of 695/mm(3). Examination of the explanted native liver at initial transplantation revealed massive hepatic necrosis consistent with drug-induced liver injury. Primary graft nonfunction complicated the early postoperative course and liver retransplantation was required. On follow-up 2 years later, she remains in good health with an undetectable viral load on an efavirenz-based regimen of HAART. To our knowledge, this is the first report of successful liver transplantation following SJS and FHF.