Increasing incidence of melanoma after solid organ transplantation: a retrospective epidemiological study

The risk of melanoma in organ transplant recipients (OTR) is increased compared with the general population. This retrospective study registered all cases of post‐transplant melanoma in kidney, heart, lung, and liver transplant recipients followed in our specialized post‐transplant Dermatology Clinic since 1991. The yearly prevalence of melanoma and skin carcinoma between 2000 and 2015 was computed and compared in this population. Based on another cohort of kidney transplant recipients grafted since 2005, adjusted age‐ and sex‐standardized incidence ratio (SIR) was calculated using a renal transplantation registry. In our overall OTR cohort, between 1991 and 2000, five melanomas occurred in 1800 OTRs (0.28%), whereas between 1991 and 2015, 53 melanomas were diagnosed in 49 of 4510 OTR (1.09%), representing a 3.9‐fold increase in prevalence after 2000. Remarkably, the prevalence of nonmelanoma skin cancers remained unchanged over this period. Two deaths related to melanoma were recorded with an overall follow‐up of 62 months. In our cohort of 1102 renal transplant recipients, the SIR of melanoma was 4.52. Our data suggest that contrasting with nonmelanoma skin cancer, the risk of post‐transplant melanoma has considerably increased over the last decade.     

Risk of Thyroid Cancer Among Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

Solid organ transplant recipients have an elevated incidence of thyroid cancer. We evaluated a wide range of potential risk factors in a cohort of 229 300 U.S. solid organ transplant recipients linked with 15 stage/regional cancer registries (1987–2012). Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, transplanted organ, year of transplantation, and time since transplantation. Hazard ratios (HRs) for death and/or graft failure were adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, transplanted organ, and year of transplantation. After transplantation, 356 thyroid cancers were diagnosed. Thyroid cancer incidence was 2.50‐fold higher in transplant recipients than the general population (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.25–2.77). Among recipients of different organs, kidney recipients had the highest incidence of thyroid cancer (IRR = 1.26, 95% CI 1.03–1.53). Elevated thyroid cancer incidence was associated with cholestatic liver disease/cirrhosis as an indication for liver transplantation (IRR = 1.69, 95% CI 1.09–2.63), hypertensive nephrosclerosis as an indication for kidney transplantation (IRR = 1.41, 95% CI 1.03–1.94), and longer prior dialysis among kidney recipients (5+ vs. <1 year, IRR = 1.92, 95% CI 1.32–2.80; p‐trend <0.01). Posttransplantation diagnosis of thyroid cancer was associated with modestly increased risk of death (HR = 1.33, 95% CI 1.02–1.73). Overall, our results suggest that end‐stage organ disease and longer duration of dialysis may contribute to higher thyroid cancer incidence in transplant recipients.     

Are heart transplant recipients more likely to develop skin cancer than kidney transplant recipients?

Abstract Non‐melanoma skin cancer is frequent in organ transplant recipients. The risk of post‐transplant cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in Norwegian heart transplant recipients (n = 148) and kidney transplant recipients (n = 1020) on triple immunosuppressive therapy with cyclosporine, azathioprine, and prednisolone, transplanted between 1983 and 1992, were studied. After adjustment for age at transplantation in multivariable Cox models, heart transplant recipients had a significantly 2.8‐times higher risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma relative to kidney transplant recipients. The risk relative to the general population (standardized incidence ratio) was higher in heart transplant recipients than in kidney transplant recipients. The results indicate that heart transplant recipients are more likely to be diagnosed with skin cancer than kidney transplant recipients, probably due to the higher doses of cyclosporine and azathioprine after heart transplantation used at our center in the study period.     

Associations between pre‐kidney‐transplant risk factors and post‐transplant cardiovascular events and death

The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in renal transplant candidates is high. A better understanding of the relation between these risk factors and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality is mandatory to improve transplantation outcome. In this retrospective cohort study 2187 adult patients who received a first kidney transplant between 1984 and 1997 were included. We analyzed the incidence of post‐transplant cardiovascular events and tried to identify independent pretransplant risk factors for post‐transplant cardiovascular events and all‐cause mortality. The cumulative incidence of post‐transplant cardiovascular events was 40%. The incidence was highest in the first 3 months after transplantation. Independent pretransplant risk factors for a post‐transplant cardiovascular event were diabetic nephropathy [Hazard ratio (HR) 3.02; 95% CI 2.85–3.98], claudication [HR 2.17 (1.42–3.31)], cardiac event [HR 1.76 (1.32–2.33)], cerebrovascular accident HR 1.53 (1.03–2.28), time‐on‐dialysis [HR 1.06 (1.02–1.11)], recipient age [HR 1.04 (1.04–1.05)], and body mass index [HR 1.03 (1.00–1.05)]. Diabetic nephropathy and cardiovascular disease were also important predictors for all‐cause mortality. Diabetic nephropathy and cardiovascular disease were the most important predictors for cardiovascular events and all‐cause mortality after renal transplantation. Early treatment of cardiovascular risk factors and pretransplant cardiovascular evaluation might improve transplantation outcome.     

Change in Mortality Risk Over Time in Young Kidney Transplant Recipients

Mortality risk for kidney transplant recipients may change with increasing accumulated exposure to the “transplantation milieu.” We sought to characterize changes over time in mortality rate and in age‐, sex‐ and race‐standardized mortality ratios (SMR) relative to the general population, and to estimate the association between increasing time since first transplant and mortality risk. A total of 18 911 patients who received a first transplant at <21 years old (1983–2006), and whose data were recorded in the USRDS, were studied. There were 2713 deaths over a median follow‐up of 8.9 (interquartile range 4.0–14.5; maximum 23) years. Among those with graft function, mortality was highest in the first post transplant year; beyond the first year of the first transplant, age‐adjusted mortality rates and SMRs decreased slightly over follow‐up. Cause of death was cardiovascular for 34.6%, infection for 19.5%, malignancy for 5.8%, other for 21.4% and unknown for 18.7%. For every 1‐year time increment after the end of the first post transplant year, age‐adjusted all‐cause and cardiovascular mortality rates fell by 1% (p = 0.06) and 16% (p = 0.007), respectively; infection‐related mortality rate did not change over time (p = 0.5). These results suggest that exposure to the transplantation milieu has no cumulative negative effects on cardiovascular health over the long term.     

Incidence and clinical predictors of primary opportunistic deep cutaneous mycoses in solid organ transplant recipients: a multicenter cohort study

Tessari G, Naldi L, Piaserico S, Boschiero L, Nacchia F, Forni A, Rugiu C, Faggian G, Dall’Olio E, Fortina AB, Alaibac M, Sassi F, Gotti E, Fiocchi R, Fagioli S, Girolomoni G. Incidence and clinical predictors of primary opportunistic deep cutaneous mycoses in solid organ transplant recipients: a multicenter cohort study.
Clin Transplant 2010: 24: 328–333. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: Background: Primary opportunistic deep cutaneous fungal
infections may cause significant morbidity and mortality in solid organ transplant recipients (OTR), but no data exist about their incidence, timing, and clinical predictors in a long‐term follow‐up. Patients and methods: A series of 3293 consecutive OTR including 1991 kidney, 929 heart, and 373 liver transplant recipients were enrolled. Patients were regularly followed up since time at transplantation (mean 5.5 yr ±5.9 SD) and primary opportunistic fungal infections registered. Persons‐year at risk (PYs), incidence rates (IR), incidence rate ratios (IRR), and 95% confidence intervals were computed. Results: Twenty‐two cases of deep cutaneous mycoses were detected, (IR 1.2 cases per 1000 PYs) after a mean follow‐up time since transplantation of 2.5 yr ± 2.0 SD (median 1.8 yr). Six patients had subsequent systemic involvement and three patients died of systemic dissemination. A higher risk for mycoses was observed in the first two yr after transplantation, (IRR 35.9, p < 0.0001), in renal transplant recipients (IRR 5.1 p = 0.030), and in patients transplanted after the age of 50 (IRR 11.5 p = 0.020). Conclusions: Primary deep cutaneous opportunistic mycoses in OTR occur mainly in the first two yr after transplantation, in renal transplant recipients, and in older patients.     

Incidence,risk factors,and outcomes of stroke post‐transplantation in patients receiving a steroid sparing immunosuppression protocol

Corticosteroid use after transplantation is associated with an increased incidence of cardiovascular events and death. Cerebrovascular disease is a common cause of morbidity and mortality post‐renal transplantation; however, a dedicated analysis of cerebrovascular disease in recipients of a steroid sparing protocol has not been reported. The aim of this study was to examine the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of CVA in transplant recipients receiving a steroid sparing protocol. We retrospectively analyzed 1237 patients who received a kidney alone or a simultaneous pancreas and kidney (SPK) transplant. Fifty‐six of 1237 (4.53%) patients had a CVA post‐transplant. All‐cause mortality was significantly higher in the CVA group compared with the non‐CVA group, OR: 3.4 (1.7–7.0), p < 0.001. Factors found to be associated with increased risk of CVA by multivariate analysis were older age, HR: 1.07 (1.04–1.09), p < 0.001; diabetes at the time of transplantation, HR: 2.83 (1.42–5.64), p = 0.003; corticosteroid use pre‐transplant, HR: 3.27 (1.29–8.27), p = 0.013 and recipients of a SPK, HR: 4.03 (1.85–8.79), p < 0.001. This study has identified subgroups of patients who are at increased risk of CVA post‐transplant in patients otherwise receiving a steroid sparing immunosuppression protocol.     

De novo Cancer‐Related Death in Australian Liver and Cardiothoracic Transplant Recipients

Evidence is sparse on the relative mortality risk posed by de novo cancers in liver and cardiothoracic transplant recipients. A retrospective cohort study was conducted in Australia using population‐based liver (n = 1926) and cardiothoracic (n = 2718) registries (1984–2006). Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were computed by cancer type, transplanted organ, recipient age and sex. During a median 5‐year follow‐up, de novo cancer‐related mortality risk in liver and cardiothoracic recipients was significantly elevated compared to the matched general population (n = 171; SMR = 2.83; 95% confidence interval [95%CI], 2.43–3.27). Excess risk was observed regardless of transplanted organ, recipient age group or sex. Non‐Hodgkin lymphoma was the most common cancer‐related death (n = 38; SMR = 16.6; 95%CI, 11.87–22.8). The highest relative risk was for nonmelanocytic skin cancer (n = 23; SMR = 49.6, 95%CI, 31.5–74.5), predominantly in males and in recipients of heart and lung transplants. Risk of death from de novo cancer was high in pediatric recipients (n = 5; SMR = 41.3; 95%CI, 13.4–96.5), four of the five deaths were non‐Hodgkin lymphoma. De novo cancer was a leading cause of late death, particularly in heart and liver transplantation. These findings support tailored cancer prevention strategies, surveillance to promote early detection, and guidelines for managing immunosuppression once cancer occurs.     

Epidemiology of laboratory-confirmed influenza among kidney transplant recipients compared to the general population—A nationwide cohort study

Seasonal influenza causes morbidity and mortality after organ transplantation. We quantified the detection of laboratory-confirmed influenza among kidney transplant recipients compared to the general population in a nationwide cohort. All laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza and hospitalizations due to influenza among all kidney transplant recipients in our country between 1995 and 2017 were captured with database linkage from statutory national registries. Data from the general population of Finland, population 5.5 million, were used for comparisons. Annual incidences of influenza and hospitalizations due to influenza, and standardized incidence ratios (SIR) were calculated. Altogether 3904 kidney transplant recipients with a total follow-up of 37 175 patient-years were included. Incidence of laboratory-confirmed influenza was 9.0 per 1000 patient years in 2003–2019, and 18.0 per 1000 patient years during 2015–2019. The risk of laboratory-confirmed influenza was significantly higher among kidney transplant recipients compared to the general population (SIR 5.1, 95% CI 4.5–5.7). SIR for hospitalization due to influenza was 4.4 (95% CI 3.4–4.7). Mortality of the hospitalized patients was 9%, and 5% of the patients with laboratory-confirmed influenza. Detection of laboratory-confirmed influenza is increased fivefold and risk of hospitalization due to influenza more than fourfold among kidney transplant recipients compared to the general population.     

Donor‐derived Kaposi's sarcoma in a liver–kidney transplant recipient

Human herpes virus 8 (HHV‐8), also known as Kaposi's sarcoma associated herpesvirus (KSHV), is an oncogenic virus that can cause Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). KS can develop following organ transplantation through reactivation of the recipient's latent HHV‐8 infection, or less commonly through donor‐derived infection which has higher risk for severe illness and mortality. We describe a case of probable donor‐derived KS in the recipient of a liver–kidney transplant. The donor had multiple risk factors for HHV‐8 infection. The KS was successfully treated by switching immunosuppression from tacrolimus to sirolimus. With an increasing number of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐positive persons seeking organ transplantation and serving as organ donors for HIV‐positive recipients, HHV‐8 prevalence among donors and recipients will likely increase and with that the risk for post‐transplant KS. Predetermination of HHV‐8 status can be useful when considering organ donors and recipients with risk factors, although there are currently no validated commercial tests for HHV‐8 antibody screening.     

Outcomes of overseas kidney transplantation in chronic haemodialysis patients in Taiwan

Aim: Overseas kidney transplantation has often been reported to have unsatisfactory outcomes. This study aims to compare post‐transplantation outcomes between overseas and domestic kidney transplant (KT) recipients in Taiwan. Methods: The Taiwanese National Health Insurance Research Database was used to identify 310 domestic and 643 overseas KT recipients, who survived for longer than 1 month after the transplantation, in a cohort of 45 453 chronic haemodialysis patients in 1997–2002. Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess risks of mortality and graft failure. Results: The 1, 3 and 5 year survival rates for domestic KT recipients were 96.5%, 93.3% and 91.6%, respectively, while those for overseas KT recipients were 94.9%, 87.9% and 77.1%, respectively (P = 0.015). For the overseas group, those who received a KT before 2001 had significantly higher hazard ratios of mortality and graft failure (2.85 and 1.71, respectively). However, for those receiving a KT in 2001–2002, no significant outcome difference could be found between overseas and domestic recipients. Conclusion: The risk disparity between overseas and domestic KT recipients is mainly attributable to when the transplantation was performed. In attempting to dissuade potential recipients from organ trafficking, merely emphasizing the previously acknowledged poor outcomes no longer suffices as a valid reason.     

Association of prevalent vascular disease with allograft failure and mortality in live‐donor kidney transplant recipients – a retrospective cohort study

Limited data exist regarding the impact of prevalent vascular disease after live‐donor kidney transplantation. We aimed to determine the associations between the number of prevalent vascular diseases, allograft, and patient outcomes following live‐donor transplantation. This cohort study used data from the Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry. Rates between recipients of live‐donor kidney transplants ± prevalent vascular disease prior to transplantation were calculated. The associations between vascular disease, allograft failure, and all‐cause mortality were assessed using Cox regression modeling. Kaplan–Meier proportions were used to calculate all‐cause mortality and death with a function graft stratified by vascular disease burden. Of 4742 live‐donor recipients, 428 (9%) and 84 (2%) had prevalent vascular disease at 1 and ≥2 sites, respectively. Compared to recipients without vascular disease, the respective adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for patients with vascular disease at 1 and ≥2 sites were 1.78 (1.41–2.25) and 3.02 (2.03–4.50) for all‐cause mortality; and 1.54 (1.26–1.88) and 2.28 (1.54–3.38) for allograft failure. All‐cause mortality in recipients with vascular disease at 0, 1 and ≥2 sites was 0.028 (0.025, 0.031), 0.090 (0.073, 0.106) and 0.247 (0.196, 0.282) over the first 5‐year post‐transplant. There was an incremental association between the number of prevalent vascular disease sites and risk of allograft failure and all‐cause mortality in live‐donor kidney transplant recipients.     

Comparison of De Novo Cancer Incidence in Australian Liver,Heart and Lung Transplant Recipients

Population‐based evidence on the relative risk of de novo cancer in liver and cardiothoracic transplant recipients is limited. A cohort study was conducted in Australia using population‐based liver (n = 1926) and cardiothoracic (n = 2718) registries (1984–2006). Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were computed by cancer type, transplanted organ and recipient age. Cox regression models were used to compare cancer incidence by transplanted organ. During a median 5‐year follow‐up, the risk of any cancer in liver and cardiothoracic recipients was significantly elevated compared to the general population (n = 499; SIR = 2.62, 95%CI 2.40–2.86). An excess risk was observed for 16 cancer types, predominantly cancers with a viral etiology. The pattern of risk by cancer type was broadly similar for heart, lung and liver recipients, except for Merkel cell carcinoma (cardiothoracic only). Seventeen cancers (10 non‐Hodgkin lymphomas), were observed in 415 pediatric recipients (SIR = 23.8, 95%CI 13.8–38.0). The adjusted hazard ratio for any cancer in all recipients was higher in heart compared to liver (1.29, 95%CI 1.03–1.63) and lung compared to liver (1.65, 95%CI 1.26–2.16). Understanding the factors responsible for the higher cancer incidence in cardiothoracic compared to liver recipients has the potential to lead to targeted cancer prevention strategies in this high‐risk population.     

Incidence and outcomes of primary central nervous system lymphoma in solid organ transplant recipients

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) risk is greatly increased in immunosuppressed human immunodeficiency virus–infected people. Using data from the US transplant registry linked with 17 cancer registries (1987‐2014), we studied PCNSL and systemic non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in 288 029 solid organ transplant recipients. Transplant recipients had elevated incidence for PCNSL compared with the general population (standardized incidence ratio = 65.1; N = 168), and this elevation was stronger than for systemic NHL (standardized incidence ratio=11.5; N = 2043). Compared to kidney recipients, PCNSL incidence was lower in liver recipients (adjusted incidence rate ratio [aIRR] = 0.52), similar in heart and/or lung recipients, and higher in other/multiple organ recipients (aIRR = 2.45). PCNSL incidence was higher in Asians/Pacific Islanders than non‐Hispanic whites (aIRR = 2.09); after induction immunosuppression with alemtuzumab (aIRR = 3.12), monoclonal antibodies (aIRR = 1.83), or polyclonal antibodies (aIRR = 2.03); in recipients who were Epstein‐Barr virus–seronegative at the time of transplant and at risk of primary infection (aIRR = 1.95); and within the first 1.5 years after transplant. Compared to other recipients, those with PCNSL had increased risk of death (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 11.79) or graft failure/retransplantation (aHR = 3.24). Recipients with PCNSL also had higher mortality than those with systemic NHL (aHR = 1.48). In conclusion, PCNSL risk is highly elevated among transplant recipients, and it carries a poor prognosis.     

Post‐transplant malignancy: a burdensome complication in renal allograft recipients in Korea

Cancer has been a serious complication of kidney transplantation ever since the outcome of this procedure improved. The incidence of cancer among kidney transplant (KT) recipients is increasing, and these patients have a higher risk of developing cancer than the general population. The present retrospective cohort study compared the cancer rate of kidney recipients in a single transplantation center in Korea with that in healthy Korean individuals using the standardized incidence ratio (SIR). The medical records of all 2365 patients who underwent renal transplantation between 1989 and 2009 were reviewed retrospectively. During the study period, 136 renal allograft recipients developed 140 malignancies. The cumulative cancer incidence one, five, 10, and 15 yr post‐transplantation was 0.60%, 3.24%, 5.69%, and 8.90%, respectively. Non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and thyroid cancer were the most common cancers after renal transplantation, occurring significantly more frequently than in the general Korean population. The SIR of all cancers was 1.9 (women: 2.4; men: 1.6). Comparison with similar studies in Korea and other countries suggests transplant center‐related differences dictate post‐transplant malignancy incidence more strongly than ethnic or geographic factors. Early surveillance programs for de novo malignancies after kidney transplantation focusing on kidney‐transplantation‐related tumors and postoperative time period should be established.     

The Risk of End‐Stage Renal Disease Among Living Donor Liver Transplant Recipients in the United States

Since initiation of model for end‐stage liver disease (MELD)‐based allocation for liver transplantation, the risk of posttransplant end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) has increased. Recent US data have demonstrated comparable, if not superior survival, among recipients of living donor liver transplants (LDLT) when compared to deceased donor liver transplant (DDLT) recipients. However, little is known about the incidence of ESRD post‐LDLT. We analyzed linked Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) and US Renal Data System (USRDS) data of first‐time liver‐alone transplant recipients from February 27, 2002 to March 1, 2011, and restricted the cohort to recipients with a laboratory MELD score ≤25 not on dialysis prior to transplantation, in order to evaluate the incidence of ESRD post‐LDLT, and to compare the incidence among LDLT versus DDLT recipients. There were 28 707 DDLT and 1917 LDLT recipients included in the analyses. The 1‐, 3‐ and 5‐year unadjusted risk of ESRD was 1.7%, 2.9% and 3.4% in LDLT recipients, compared with 1.5%, 3.0% and 4.8% in DDLT recipients (p > 0.05), respectively. In multivariable competing risk Cox regression models, there was no association between receiving an LDLT and risk of ESRD (sub‐hazard ratio: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.77–1.26, p = 0.92). In conclusion, the incidence of ESRD post‐LDLT in the United States is low, and there are no significant differences among LDLT and DDLT recipients with MELD scores ≤25 at transplantation.     

Pre‐Kidney Transplant Lower Extremity Impairment and Post‐Kidney Transplant Mortality

Prediction models for post‐kidney transplantation mortality have had limited success (C‐statistics ≤0.70). Adding objective measures of potentially modifiable factors may improve prediction and, consequently, kidney transplant (KT) survival through intervention. The Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) is an easily administered objective test of lower extremity function consisting of three parts (balance, walking speed, chair stands), each with scores of 0–4, for a composite score of 0–12, with higher scores indicating better function. SPPB performance and frailty (Fried frailty phenotype) were assessed at admission for KT in a prospective cohort of 719 KT recipients at Johns Hopkins Hospital (8/2009 to 6/2016) and University of Michigan (2/2013 to 12/2016). The independent associations between SPPB impairment (SPPB composite score ≤10) and composite score with post‐KT mortality were tested using adjusted competing risks models treating graft failure as a competing risk. The 5‐year posttransplantation mortality for impaired recipients was 20.6% compared to 4.5% for unimpaired recipients (p < 0.001). Impaired recipients had a 2.30‐fold (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 2.30, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12–4.74, p = 0.02) increased risk of postkidney transplantation mortality compared to unimpaired recipients. Each one‐point decrease in SPPB score was independently associated with a 1.19‐fold (95% CI 1.09–1.30, p < 0.001) higher risk of post‐KT mortality. SPPB‐derived lower extremity function is a potentially highly useful and modifiable objective measure for pre‐KT risk prediction.     

Associations of Pretransplant Serum Albumin with Post‐Transplant Outcomes in Kidney Transplant Recipients

The association between pretransplant serum albumin concentration and post‐transplant outcomes in kidney transplant recipients is unclear. We hypothesized that in transplant‐waitlisted hemodialysis patients, lower serum albumin concentrations are associated with worse post‐transplant outcomes. Linking the 5‐year patient data of a large dialysis organization (DaVita) to the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, we identified 8961 hemodialysis patients who underwent first kidney transplantation. Mortality or graft failure and delayed graft function (DGF) risks were estimated by Cox regression (hazard ratio [HR]) and logistic regression (Odds ratio [OR]), respectively. Patients were 48 ± 13 years old and included 37% women and 27% diabetics. The higher pretransplant serum albumin was associated with lower mortality, graft failure and DGF risk even after multivariate adjustment for case‐mix, malnutrition–inflammation complex and transplant related variable. Every 0.2 g/dL higher pretransplant serum albumin concentration was associated with 13% lower all‐cause mortality (HR = 0.87 [95% confidence interval: 0.82–0.93]), 17% lower cardiovascular mortality (HR = 0.83[0.74–0.93]), 7% lower combined risk of death or graft failure (HR = 0.93[0.89–0.97]) and 4% lower DGF risk (OR = 0.96[0.93–0.99]). Hence, lower pretransplant serum albumin level is associated with worse post‐transplant outcomes. Clinical trials to examine interventions to improve nutritional status in transplant‐waitlisted hemodialysis patients and their impacts on post‐transplant outcomes are indicated.     

Early failure of kidney transplants in the current era—a national cohort study

Although short‐term outcome after kidney transplantation has improved, a small proportion of grafts are lost during the first year. We characterize in detail all early graft losses in the current era in a nationwide cohort of kidney transplant recipients. Altogether 2447 kidney transplantations, performed between June 2004 and October 2016, were included. All graft losses (return to dialysis or patient death) occurring during the first post‐transplant year were characterized. During the first post‐tranplant year, altogether 109 grafts were lost, 67 grafts failed, and 42 patients died. Fifty‐five per cent of the deaths were due to cardiovascular causes, and 29% due to infectious causes. Twenty‐one per cent of the failed grafts were primary nonfunction of unknown reason, 34% were lost due to venous thrombosis and 9% due to arterial thrombosis, but only 10 (15%) patients lost a graft due to acute cellular or humoral rejection. Independent risk factors for death included diabetes, and longer duration of pretransplant dialysis treatment, whereas risk factors for graft failure included increased level of panel‐reactive antibodies and increased cold ischaemia time. Kidney allografts are rarely lost due to immunological reasons during the first post‐transplant year. The most common causes of early death after transplantation are cardiovascular and infectious causes.     

Human Herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) Transmission and Related Morbidity in Organ Recipients

The aims of the study were to assess the risk of HHV8 transmission resulting from organ transplantation, and related morbidity in liver, heart and kidney transplant recipients. Donor and recipient serologies were screened between January 1, 2004 and January 1, 2005 using HHV8 indirect immunofluorescence latent assay (latent IFA) and indirect immunofluorescent lytic assay (lytic IFA). Recipients negative for latent IFA with a donor positive for at least one test were sequentially monitored for HHV8 viremia and underwent serological tests over a period of 2 years. The results showed that among 2354 donors, HHV8 seroprevalence was 9.9% (lytic IFA) and 4.4% (latent IFA). A total of 454 organ recipients (281 renal, 116 liver and 57 heart) were monitored over a 2‐year period. Seroconversion was observed in 12 patients (cumulative incidence 28%) whose donor had positive latent IFA and in 36 patients (cumulative incidence 29%) whose donors were positive only for lytic IFA, without differences across types of transplants. Positive HHV8 viremia was detected in only 4 out of 89 liver transplant recipients during follow‐up and not in recipients of other types of transplant. Two liver transplant recipients and one kidney transplant recipient developed KS. In conclusion, although HHV8 transmission is a frequent event after organ transplantation, HHV8‐related morbidity is rather rare but can be life threatening. Donor screening is advisable for monitoring HHV8 seronegative liver transplant recipients.