Renal Transplantation in HIV-Positive Recipients

Utilization of Public Health Service Increased Risk Donors Yields Equivalent Outcomes in Liver Transplantation

Background. The PHS increased risk donor (IRD) is underutilized in liver transplantation. We aimed to examine the posttransplant outcomes in recipients of increased-risk organs. Methods. We analyzed 228,040 transplants in the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network database from 2004 to 2013. Endpoints were graft failure and death. Results were controlled for demographics and comorbidities. Statistical analysis utilized Fisher's test and logistic regression. Results. 58,816 patients were identified (5,534 IRD, 53,282 non-IRD). IRDs were more frequently male (69.2% versus 58.3%, p < 0.001), younger (34 versus 39, p < 0.001), and less likely to have comorbidities (p < 0.001). Waitlist time was longer for IRD graft recipients (254 versus 238 days, p < 0.001). All outcomes were better in the IRD group. Graft failure (23.6 versus 27.3%, p < 0.001) and mortality (20.4 versus 22.3%, p = 0.001) were decreased in IRD graft recipients. However, in multivariate analysis, IRD status was not a significant indicator of outcomes. Conclusion. This is the first study to describe IRD demographics in liver transplantation. Outcomes are improved in IRD organ recipients; however, controlling for donor and recipient comorbidities, ischemia time, and MELD score, the differences lose significance. In multivariate analysis, use of IRD organs is noninferior, with similar graft failure and mortality despite the infectious risk.

Immunosuppression regimen and the risk of acute rejection in HIV-infected kidney transplant recipients

BACKGROUND

Kidney transplantation (KT) is the treatment for end-stage renal disease in appropriate HIV-positive individuals. However, acute rejection (AR) rates are over twice those of HIV-negative recipients.

METHODS

To better understand optimal immunosuppression for HIV-positive KT recipients, we studied associations between immunosuppression regimen, AR at 1 year, and survival in 516 HIV-positive and 93,027 HIV-negative adult kidney-only recipients using Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients data from 2003 to 2011.

RESULTS

Consistent with previous reports, HIV-positive patients had twofold higher risk of AR (adjusted relative risk [aRR], 1.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.45-2.2; P<0.001) than their HIV-negative counterparts as well as a higher risk of graft loss (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.18-1.94; P=0.001), but these differences were not seen among patients receiving antithymocyte globulin (ATG) induction (aRR for AR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.41-3.35, P=0.77; adjusted hazard ratio for graft loss, 1.54; 95% CI, 0.73-3.25; P=0.26). Furthermore, HIV-positive patients receiving ATG induction had a 2.6-fold lower risk of AR (aRR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.18-0.87; P=0.02) than those receiving no antibody induction. Conversely, HIV-positive patients receiving sirolimus-based therapy had a 2.2-fold higher risk of AR (aRR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.20-3.86; P=0.01) than those receiving calcineurin inhibitor-based regimens.

CONCLUSION

These findings support a role for ATG induction, and caution against the use of sirolimus-based maintenance therapy, in HIV-positive individuals undergoing KT.

Identifying appropriate recipients for CDC infectious risk donor kidneys

Over 10% of deceased donors in 2011 met PHS/CDC criteria for infectious risk donor (IRD), and discard rates are significantly higher for kidneys from these donors. We hypothesized that patient phenotypes exist for whom the survival benefit outweighs the infectious risk associated with IRDs. A patient-oriented Markov decision process model was developed and validated, based on SRTR data and meta-analyses of window period risks among persons with IRD behaviors. The Markov model allows patients to see, for their phenotype, their estimated survival after accepting versus declining an IRD offer, graphed over a 5-year horizon. Estimated 5-year survival differences associated with accepting IRDs ranged from -6.4% to +67.3% for a variety of patient phenotypes. Factors most predictive of the survival difference with IRD transplantation were age, PRA, previous transplant, and the expected time until the next non-IRD deceased donor offer. This study suggests that survival benefit derived from IRD kidneys varies widely by patient phenotype. Furthermore, within the inherent limitations of model-based prediction, this study demonstrates that it is possible to identify those predicted to benefit from IRD kidneys, and illustrates how estimated survival curves based on a clinical decision can be presented to better inform patient and provider decision-making.