Kidney Transplantation in HIV-Positive Patients: A Single-Center, 16-Year Experience

Kidney transplantation in people living with human immunodeficiency virus: An overview of the Australian experience

Kidney transplantation in people living with HIV (PLWHIV) is occurring with increasing frequency. Limited international data suggest comparable patient and graft survival in kidney transplant recipients with and without HIV. All PLWHIV aged ≥18 years who received a kidney transplant between 2000 and 2020 were identified by retrospective data initially extracted from Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry (ANZDATA), with additional HIV-specific clinical data extracted from linked local health-care records. Twenty-five PLWHIV and kidney failure received their first kidney transplant in Australia between January 2000 and December 2020. Majority were male (85%), with median age 54 years (interquartile range, IQR 43-57). Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis was the most common primary kidney disease (20%), followed by polycystic kidney disease (16%). 80% of patients underwent induction with basiliximab and none with anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG). Participants were followed for median time of 3.5 years (IQR 2.0-6.5). Acute rejection occurred in 24% of patients. Two patients lost their allografts and three died. Virological escape occurred in 28% of patients, with a maximum viral load of 190 copies/mL. In conclusion, kidney transplantation in PLWHIV in Australia is occurring with increasing frequency. Acute rejection is more common than in Australia's general transplant population, but this does not appear to be associated with higher rates of graft failure or mortality out to four years.

Complications of rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin induction immunosuppression in HIV-infected kidney transplant recipients

Background

Kidney transplantation in HIV-infected individuals with end-stage kidney disease is associated with improved survival compared to dialysis. Rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin (rATG) induction in HIV-infected kidney transplant recipients has been associated with a lower risk of acute rejection, but data on the rates of de novo malignancy and BK viremia in these patients is lacking.

Methods

We performed a single-center retrospective cohort study of adult HIV-infected individuals who underwent kidney transplantation with rATG induction between January 2006 and December 2016. The primary outcome was the development of de novo malignancy. Secondary outcomes included the development of BK viremia, infections requiring hospitalization, HIV progression, biopsy-proven acute rejection, and patient and allograft survival.

Results

Twenty-seven HIV-infected individuals with end-stage kidney disease received deceased (n=23) or living (n=4) donor kidney transplants. The cumulative rate of malignancy at five years was 29%, of whom 29% died because of advanced malignancy. BK viremia was detected in six participants (22%), of whom one had biopsy-proven BK virus-associated nephropathy and all of whom cleared the BK viremia. Five-year acute rejection rates, patient survival and death-censored allograft survival were 17%, 85% and 80% respectively.

Conclusion

rATG induction in HIV-infected kidney transplant recipients was associated with a low risk of acute rejection, but a potentially higher risk of de novo malignancies and BK viremia in this cohort. Screening strategies to closely monitor for BK virus infection and malignancy post-transplantation may improve outcomes in HIV-infected kidney transplant recipients receiving rATG induction.

HIV in kidney transplantation

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The aim of this study was to describe recent developments in renal transplantation for HIV-positive recipients, especially the HIV Organ Policy Equity (HOPE) trial results.

RECENT FINDINGS

HOPE trial data show that HIV-positive D+/R+ results are excellent and similar to D-/R+ in patients controlled on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Patients coinfected with hepatitis C or B virus now have effective treatment available. As pretransplant evaluation and post-transplant management is more complex in HIV-positive individuals early referral is important and coordination of evaluation and care with an infectious disease specialist is critical. HIV coordinated care services should be involved for best outcomes. HIV-positive renal transplant recipients have an increased risk of rejection and evidence suggests that standard lymphocyte depletion induction and maintenance immunosuppression be employed. Cardiovascular risk reduction and surveillance and attention to metabolic bone disease are important for HIV-positive renal transplant recipients.

SUMMARY

HIV-positive to HIV-positive renal transplantation has been established as well tolerated and successful. Further efforts are needed to expand access to transplantation in this population.

VIDEO ABSTRACT

http://links.lww.com/MOT/A29.

HIV and organ transplantation

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review summarizes the advances that have occurred over the past 2 years in organ transplantation in the setting of HIV.

RECENT FINDINGS

Although HIV+ organ transplantation is both safe and effective, recent studies show that HIV+ patients continue to experience barriers to transplantation. In the United States, the HOPE Act is not only expected to increase the donor pool for HIV+ transplant candidates, but to also allow for the use of donors with false-positive HIV+ tests, which had previously been banned under the US National Organ Transplant Act. More effective HCV treatment, increased experience with heart and lung transplantation and the potential for increased organ availability with the inclusion of HIV+ organ donors have provided for significant advances in the care of these patients.

SUMMARY

There continues to be progress in the field of organ transplantation in persons living with HIV. Future efforts should continue aiming to limit barriers to transplantation and improving the understanding of immunologic derangements seen in transplant recipients with HIV infection.

Belatacept-based immunosuppressive regimen in HIV-positive kidney transplant recipients

Background

Kidney allograft survival in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients is lower than that in the general population. Belatacept increases long-term patient and allograft survival rates when compared with calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs). Its use in HIV-positive recipients remains poorly documented.

Methods

We retrospectively report a French cohort of HIV-positive kidney allograft recipients who were switched from CNI to belatacept, between June 2012 and December 2018. Patient and allograft survival rates, HIV immunovirological and clinical outcomes, acute rejection, opportunistic infections (OIs) and HLA donor-specific antibodies (DSAs) were analysed at 3 and 12 months, and at the end of follow-up (last clinical visit attended after transplantation). Results were compared with HIV-positive recipients group treated with CNI.

Results

Twelve patients were switched to belatacept 10 (2–25) months after transplantation. One year after belatacept therapy, patient and allograft survival rates scored 92% for both, two (17%) HIV virological rebounds occurred due to antiretroviral therapy non-compliance, and CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T-cell counts remained stable over time. Serious adverse events included two (17%) acute steroid-resistant T-cell-mediated rejections and three (25%) OIs. Kidney allograft function significantly increased over the 12 post-switch months (P = 0.009), and DSAs remained stable at 12 months after treatment. The control group showed similar results in terms of patient and kidney allograft survival rates, DSA characteristics and proteinuria

Conclusions

Switch from CNI to belatacept can be considered safe and may increase long-term kidney allograft survival in HIV-positive kidney allograft recipients. These results need to be confirmed in a larger cohort.

Experience with a six-month regimen of Pneumocystis pneumonia prophylaxis in 122 HIV-positive kidney transplant recipients

Anti-Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) prophylaxis is recommended for 3 to 6 months post-transplant in HIV-negative kidney transplant recipients. For HIV-positive kidney transplant recipients, there is no definite duration of primary prophylaxis and is often prescribed life-long. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of PCP in HIV-positive recipients who received 6 months of prophylaxis with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or an alternative agent. One hundred and twenty-two HIV-positive recipients received a kidney transplant from 2001 to 2017 at Hahnemann University Hospital. Most patients received induction immunosuppression with an IL-2 receptor antagonist, with or without intravenous immunoglobulin. Only one patient received anti-thymocyte globulin. Maintenance immunosuppression included a calcineurin-inhibitor (tacrolimus or cyclosporine), an antiproliferative agent (mycophenolate or sirolimus), and prednisone. Mean CD4 cell count was 461 ± 127 cells/uL prior to transplant and 463 ± 229 cells/μL at 6 to 12 months after transplant. None of the recipients developed PCP after a median follow-up of 2.88 years (IQR 1.16-4.87). Based on our observation, a 6-month regimen of PCP prophylaxis may be sufficient among HIV-positive recipients, similar to those without HIV infection.

Current state of kidney transplantation in patients with HIV, hepatitis C, and hepatitis B infection

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C (HCV), and hepatitis B (HBV) are common chronic viral infections in the end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patient population that were once considered relative contraindications to kidney transplantation. In this review, we will summarize the current state of kidney transplantation in patients with HIV, HCV, and HBV, which is rapidly evolving. HIV+ patients enjoy excellent outcomes in the modern transplant era and may have new transplant opportunities with the use of HIV+ donors. Direct-acting antivirals for HCV have substantially changed the landscape of care for patients with HCV infection. HBV+ patients now have excellent patient and allograft survival with HBV therapy. Currently, kidney transplantation is a safe and appropriate treatment for the majority of ESKD patients with HIV, HCV, and HBV.

Kidney Transplantation in Patients with HIV

Individuals with HIV are at increased risk for ESKD. Kidney transplantation is the best treatment for ESKD in the HIV+ population. Despite reduced access to transplantation, patients who are HIV+ have excellent outcomes and clearly benefit from receiving one. Common post-transplant complications and management concerns, including the optimal antiretroviral regimen, immunosuppression protocols, infectious prophylaxis, hepatitis C coinfection, metabolic complications, and malignancy are all discussed.

Organ transplantation in persons with HIV

: With current antiretroviral therapy, the lifespan of newly diagnosed persons with HIV (PWH) approaches that of uninfected persons. However, metabolic abnormalities related to both the disease and the virus itself, along with comorbidities of aging, have resulted in end-organ disease and organ failure as a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Solid organ transplantation is a life-saving therapy for PWH who have organ failure, and the approval of the HIV Organ Policy Equity Act has opened and expanded opportunities for PWH to donate and receive organs. The current environment of organ transplantation for PWH will be reviewed and future directions of research and treatment will be discussed.

Screening of donors and recipients for infections prior to solid organ transplantation

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review is a brief overview of current guidelines on screening donors and candidates for bacterial, fungal, parasitic and viral infections prior to solid organ transplantation. The pretransplant period is an important time to evaluate infection exposure risk based on social history as well as to offer vaccinations.

RECENT FINDINGS

One of the major changes in the past few years has been increased utilization of increased Public Health Service risk, HIV positive, and hepatitis C-positive donors. There has also been increased attention to donor and recipient risks for geographically associated infections, such as endemic fungal infections and flaviviruses.

SUMMARY

Screening for donors and candidates prior to organ transplantation can identify and address infection risks. Diagnosing infections in a timely manner can help guide treatment and additional testing. Use of necessary prophylactic treatment in organ recipients can prevent reactivation of latent infections and improve posttransplant outcomes.

Barriers to kidney transplant evaluation in HIV-positive patients with advanced kidney disease: A single-center study

BACKGROUND

HIV-positive kidney transplant (KT) recipients have similar outcomes to HIV-negative recipients. However, HIV-positive patients with advanced kidney disease might face additional barriers to initiating the KT evaluation process. We sought to characterize comorbidities, viral control and management, viral resistance, and KT evaluation appointment rates in a cohort of KT evaluation-eligible HIV-positive patients.

METHODS

We included patients seen between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2015, at a primary care HIV clinic who met KT evaluation eligibility by an estimated glomerular filtration rate ≤20 mL/min/1.73 meters² or dialysis dependence. The primary outcome was a documented appointment for KT evaluation.

RESULTS

Of 3735 patients evaluated at the HIV primary clinic during the study period, 42 (1.6%) were KT evaluation-eligible patients. The median age was 47 years, 77% were male, and 95%, black. Median CD4 count was 328 cells/mm³ (IQR 175-461). Among the 63% percent with antiretroviral therapy (ART) prescription, 40% had viral loads >200 copies. Among patients with HIV resistance profiles (50%, n = 21), 52% had resistance to at least one class of ART. A majority (60%, n = 25) were scheduled for KT evaluation appointment, but of those, only 8% (n = 2) had evidence of appointments before dialysis dependence. Those without appointments had more schizophrenia (29% vs 4%, P = .02), resistance (78% vs 33%, P = .04), ART prescription (76% vs 48%, P = .04), and more kidney disease of unknown etiology (53% vs 8%, P = .02).

CONCLUSION

Kidney transplant evaluation-eligible HIV-positive patients had a high rate of evaluation appointments, but a low rate of preemptive evaluation appointments. Schizophrenia and viral resistance disproportionally affected patients without evaluation appointments. These data precede the recommendation for universal ART for all HIV+ patients, regardless of CD4 count and viral load, and must be interpreted in the context of this limitation.

Pretransplant Levels of C-Reactive Protein, Soluble TNF Receptor-1, and CD38+HLADR+ CD8 T Cells Predict Risk of Allograft Rejection in HIV+ Kidney Transplant Recipients

INTRODUCTION

HIV-positive (HIV+) kidney transplant recipients exhibit a 2- to 3-fold increased risk of allograft rejection. Dysregulated immune activation in HIV infection persists despite successful antiretroviral therapy and is associated with non-AIDS morbidity, including renal disease. We hypothesized that the pathological levels of inflammation and immune activation associated with chronic HIV infection could have clinical utility in the prediction of rejection in HIV+ kidney recipients.

METHODS

Prospective cohort study of 22 HIV-negative (HIV-; donor) to HIV+ (recipient) kidney transplant recipients who underwent biomarker assessment pretransplant and were subsequently followed for development of acute rejection. Plasma levels of markers of inflammation (soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 [sTNF-R1] and C-reactive protein [CRP]) and microbial translocation (soluble CD14 and lipopolysaccharide) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or chromogenic endpoint assay. Levels of activated (CD38+HLADR+) CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and T regulatory cells (CD4+CD25highFoxP3+) were measured by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Among the biomarkers evaluated, only the pretransplant levels of sTNF-R1, CRP, and frequencies of CD38+HLADR+ CD8 T cells, were found to be at significantly higher levels among patients who experienced biopsy-proven acute rejection. Confirming our hypothesis, patients with high pretransplant levels of sTNF-R1 or activated CD8+ T cells had a significantly increased 200-day cumulative incidence of biopsy-proven acute rejection (0 vs. 38% for both; P = 0.01). Similarly, pretransplant CRP levels higher than 5 μg/ml were associated with increased risk of acute rejection within the first 6 months post-transplant (0 vs. 43%; P = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Biomarker-based identification of HIV+ recipients at increased risk for rejection might facilitate individualized induction immunosuppression regimens in this vulnerable patient population.

Kidney transplant outcomes in HIV-positive patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Kidney transplantation is now a viable alternative to dialysis in HIV-positive patients who achieve good immunovirological control with the currently available antiretroviral therapy regimens. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigate the published evidence of outcome and risk of kidney transplantation in HIV-positive patients following the PRISMA guidelines.

Methods

Searches of PubMed, the Cochrane Library and EMBASE identified 27 cohort studies and 1670 case series evaluating the survival of HIV-positive kidney transplant patients published between July 2003 and May 2018. The regimens for induction, maintenance therapy and highly active antiretroviral therapy, acute rejection, patient and graft survival, CD4 count and infectious complications were recorded. We evaluated the patient survival and graft survival at 1 and 3 years respectively, acute rejection rate and also other infectious complications by using a random-effects analysis.

Results

At 1 year, patient survival was 0.97 (95% CI 0.95; 0.98), graft survival was 0.91 (95% CI 0.88; 0.94), acute rejection was 0.33 (95% CI 0.28; 0.38), and infectious complications was 0.41 (95% CI 0.34; 0.50), and at 3 years, patient survival was 0.94 (95% CI 0.90; 0.97) and graft survival was 0.81 (95% CI 0.74; 0.87).

Conclusions

With careful selection and evaluation, kidney transplantation can be performed with good outcomes in HIV-positive patients.

Patient Selection for Kidney Transplant

The incidence of end-stage renal disease has continued to increase. Similarly, the number of patients living with a functioning renal allograft has also increased. Transplantation has improved with advances in surgical techniques, immunosuppression, and better control of comorbid conditions. Transplantation is transformative and offers the greatest potential for restoring a healthy, productive, and durable life to appropriately selected patients. This article describes factors to address in selection of renal transplant candidates and discusses commonly encountered perioperative events. Paramount to selecting appropriate candidates is the collaboration between a multidisciplinary team focused on a systematic process guided by protocols and common practices.