Successful renal transplantation in children under 6 years of age

To evaluate the efficacy of renal transplan- tation in small pediatric patients, we have reviewed 41 allografts performed in 39 children (28 M/11 F) less than 6 years of age between 1987 and 1998 in the North Italy Transplant Program. Of these patients, 39 had a cadaver donor and 2 a living-related donor, with ages ranging from 20 days to 35 years. The mean follow-up was 56 months. Graft survival was 74.5% and 70.5% at 1 and 5 years, respectively. The causes of graft lost were acute rejection (4), graft vascular thrombosis (4), and hemolytic uremic syndrome recurrence (1). Only 1 patient has died due to chickenpox. Double and triple immunosuppressive therapies were used in 63% and 37% of patients, respectively, on the basis of different center protocols, without differences in graft survival. Steroids were successfully administered on alternate days in 37% of patients, 6–12 months after transplantation. Thrombosis was reported in 2 of 6 kidneys from donors less than 1 year of age and in 2 of 35 donors older than 1 year (P<0.05). Thirty rejections occurred in 23 patients: 7 episodes were steroid resistant and were treated with ATG/OKT3. Thirty-four infections were reported in 16 of 41 patients; of these 17 were viral, 14 bacterial, and 3 due to Mycoplasma. Four surgical complications were reported: 1 graft artery stenosis, 1 ureteral stenosis, 1 urinary leak, and 1 lymphocele. Mean height standard deviation score improved from –2.0±1.3 pre transplantation to –1.8±1.4, –1.5±1.3, and –1.5±1.5 at 1, 2, and 5 years post transplantation. Linear growth was significantly better in infants treated with alternate-day steroids. Hypertension was a frequent complication, since 19 of the 30 patients with a 5-year follow-up were still being treated with antihypertensive drugs. In conclusion, graft survival in patients less than 6 years old is satisfactory and similar to that obtained in children aged from 6 to 18 years (70.5% vs. 78.9% at 5 years, P=NS). Consequently, since there are many difficulties in managing infants on maintenance dialysis, an early transplant should be considered. Donors older than 24 months carry a low risk of vascular thrombosis and may be successfully grafted in infants. Received: 10 December 1999 / Revised: 31 July 2000 / Accepted: 25 August 2000     

肾移植术后60例女性尿路感染的临床分析

目的:探讨肾移植术后女性尿路感染(UTI)的相关影响因素。方法:调查2012年1月~2012年12月在上海长征医院肾移植康复病房收治的肾移植术后UTI女性患者60例,依据年龄段分为低年组和高年组,比较两组患者UTI的临床资料,分析其临床特点,并探讨相关影响因素。结果:78.33%(47/60)患者至少出现UTI1例次;51.67%(31/60)患者UTI临床症状不典型;38.33%(23/60)患者尿标本以大肠埃希菌感染为主,但36.67%(22/60)患者却难以找到致病菌。其中高年组(占78.33%,47/60)比低年组(占21.67%,13/60)UTI发生率高,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。进一步分析发现,在高年组UTI中,糖尿病和移植肾失功发生率均高于低年组患者(P0.05)。结论:年龄、糖尿病是肾移植术后女性UTI的重要影响因素,高年组UTI患者易增加移植肾失功的风险。     

Recurrence of Wegener's granulomatosis 13 years after renal transplantation

Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) can cause renal failure, requiring long-term renal replacement therapy. Renal transplantation in patients with WG is successful, but the risk for recurrence of the disease necessitates continued vigilance. We report a patient that originally presented with acute renal failure secondary to a pauci-immune focal necrotizing crescentic glomerulonephritis. Subsequent nasal involvement and serologic tests for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies suggested a diagnosis of WG. © 2001 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc.     

Cadaveric kidney donation beyond the age of 60 years — a comparative analysis of 1180 grafts from different donor age groups

The impact of high donor age on transplantation outcome was analysed in 1180 consecutive cadaveric grafts transplanted in adult recipients. Grafts were divided into three groups acording to donor age ( < 55 years (n = 1073, group 1), 55–59 years (n = 51, group 2), ≥ 60 years (n = 56, group 3)) and transplantation outcome was compared for these groups. Criteria investigated were the incidence of primary non-function (PNF), initial function (IF) (urine production first 24 h) and long-term function (LTF). The impact of donor age on LTF was analysed among other potential donor, graft and recipient risk factors by the multivariate proportional hazardous model analysis (Cox model). The incidence of PNF was 5.8% (group 1), 11.8% (group 2), and 16.1% (group 3) (P = 0.002). Analysis of paired kidneys of PNF grafts in group 2 and group 3 revealed good function for all paired grafts except for one in each group. IF was anuria in 19.7% of group 1, 29.4% group 2 and 21.5% of group 3, oliguria in 18.2% of group 1, 23.5% of group 2 and 32% of group 3. Normal diuresis was found in 62.1% of group, 47.1% of group 2 and 47.3% of group 3 (P = 0.05). Independent risk factors for graft survival were year of transplantation, recipient age, panel reactive antibodies, donor age group and number of transplantation. After the exclusion of PNF grafts from the analysis, recipient age, year of transplantation and level of panel reactive antibodies remained as independent risk factors.     

Characterization of donor-directed antibody class in the post-transplant period using flow cytometry in renal transplantation

Over the past few years there has been increasing awareness of the importance of humoral mechanisms in the rejection of renal transplants. In this study we have monitored the development of antibodies directed against donor T and B lymphocytes using the sensitive flow cytometric technique. Forty-two cadaveric renal transplants were studied both before and for a maximum of 14 days after transplantation. Donor cells were separated from spleen on the day of transplantation and stored in liquid nitrogen until required. The dual colour flow cytometric assay was used to detect IgG or IgM directed againts donor T or B lymphocytes. Using AB sera as controls, results were expressed as relative median fluorescence (RMF) and then correlated with the clinical performance of the grafts. Significant associations were found between the incidence of donor-directed antibodies and the development of clinical rejection. The magnitude of the rise in antibody levels was also related to graft performance. In patients showing severe graft rejection, high levels of antibodies of the IgG class developed before the clinical diagnosis of rejection was made. The routine use of this test allows the prediction of impending severe rejection to be made and may have important implications for immunosuppressive therapy.     

肾移植后贫血改善机制研究

通过本中心透析移植患者各３０例及３０例正常人的对照研究，表明透析组患者均有不同程度的贫血，而移植组贫血得到明显改善；分别测定三组的血促红细胞生成素（ＥＰＯ）浓度，正常人组为１２５．１９±３８．０４ｐｇ／ｍｌ，透析组为１１６．５８±３０．７５ｐｇ／ｍｌ，而移植组为１８１．０８±６４．０５ｐｇ／ｍｌ，说明终末期肾病（ＥＳＲＤ）患者与正常人相比血ＥＰＯ浓度并无明显降低，而肾移植患者血ＥＰＯ却明显升高，其贫血的改善与ＥＰＯ有关。     

Cadaveric renal transplantation in children under 5 years of age

From March 1987 to August 1990 23 cadaveric renal transplants were performed in 19 children under the age of 5 years at the time of transplantation. The mean age of the recipients was 3.3 years (range 1.3–4.7) and the mean weight 13.0 kg (range 9.3–19.2). The mean donor age was 7.8 years (range 1.5–25). All children received triple immunosuppression with prednisolone, cyclosporin A and azathioprine, and 4 who had 2 grafts during this period also received antithymocyte globulin at the time of the second transplant. Patient survival is 100%. Actuarial first cadaveric graft survival was 57% at 1 year and remains unchanged at 3 years. There were 10 graft losses, 4 were associated with renal venous thrombosis without apparent rejection. Two were lost due to acute vascular rejection with associated renal venous thrombosis, and the remaining 4 losses followed cellular or chronic vascular rejection. The mean glomerular filtration rate ±SD was 51.4±23.6 ml/min per 1.73 m² (n=11) at 1 year and 43.5±25.3 at 2 years (n=6). The mean height standard deviation score improved from –2.2±1.1 at the time of transplantation to –1.3±1.0 1 year post transplant (n=11). The immunosuppression was well tolerated with a low incidence of side effects. Cadaveric renal transplantation remains a difficult but rewarding undertaking in children under 5 years of age.     

Cardiac transplantation beyond 55 years of age

Between January 1985 and December 1988, 20 pateints over the age of 55 years (extremes 56–63 years; 15 men and 5 women) underwent cardiac transplantation. The cause of cardiopathy was ischemic in 70% of the cases. The immunosuppressive regimen consisted of cyclosporin A, corticoids, and azathioprine. Rejection episodes were monitored by endomyocardial biopsies and treated by pulses of corticoids or monoclonal antibodies (OKT3). The operative mortality was 10% (n=2). The 1-year survival rate was 70%. The 1-year incidence of infection and/or rejection episodes was 1 and 1.53 episodes/patient, respectively. One patient was successfully retransplanted after 9 months because of intractable rejection. Age beyond 55 years is no longer a contraindication to cardiac transplantation. This change in recipient selection policy should lead to parallel changes in donor selection criteria.     

Herpes simplex esophagitis after renal transplantation

This paper describes five renal transplant recipients, out of a series of 221 consecutive patients, who developed herpes simplex esophatitis. This opportunistic infection presented as odyno-and/or dysphagia. It occurred during or shortly after treatment of acute cellular rejection episodes with high doses of steroids and, in four cases, of antilymphocyte globulins. The infection responded to acyclovir in all patients. We conclude from these observations that herpes esophagitis occurs during periods of intensive immunosuppression. Because its endoscopic manifestations are variable, biopsies and cultures are essential to reach the diagnosis. Prevention may be possible by avoiding transplantation from a seropositive donor to a negative recipient and by prophylactic oral acyclovir.     

Cardiac transplantation beyond 55 years of age

Abstract. Between January 1985 and December 1988, 20 patients over the age of 55 years (extremes 56–63 years; 15 men and 5 women) underwent cardiac transplantation. The cause of cardiopathy was ischemic in 70% of the cases. The immunosuppressive regimen consisted of cyclosporin A, corticoids, and azathioprine. Rejection episodes were monitored by endomyocardial biopsies and treated by pulses of corticoids or monoclonal antibodies (OKT3). The operative mortality was 10% ( n = 2). The 1-year survival rate was 70%. The 1-year incidence of infection and/or rejection episodes was 1 and 1. 53 episodes/patient, respectively. One patient was successfully retransplanted after 9 months because of intractable rejection. Age beyond 55 years is no longer a contraindication to cardiac transplantation. This change in recipient selection policy should lead to parallel changes in donor selection criteria.     

Disseminated tuberculosis after renal transplantation

Disseminated mycobacterial infections occurred in two female renal graft recipients late after transplantation. In the first patient, initially presenting with fever, diagnosis was made at autopsy. Temporary defervescence following antibiotic therapy with ofloxacin possibly contributed to the fatal diagnostic delay. In the second case, body temperature was normal throughout the protracted course of the patient's illness. Her presenting symptom was rapidly increasing ascites, attributed initially to chronic liver disease. These cases demonstrate that tuberculosis remains a serious complication after renal transplantation, in particular due to its sometimes atypical clinical manifestations. Response to antibacterial therapy has to be critically evaluated in order to avoid fatal diagnostic delay.     

Cadaveric renal transplantation with cyclosporine in patients more than 60 years of age

Advanced age has been a relative contraindication to kidney transplantation because of the likelihood of increased morbidity and mortality in the geriatric population. However, the introduction of cyclosporine has improved renal allograft survival rates dramatically, and higher-risk patients are now being successfully transplanted. With the introduction of cyclosporine in 1983, we have performed 36 cadaveric renal transplants in 34 recipients 60 years of age or older, including 34 primary and 2 retransplants. Most of the patients (88%) were on dialysis prior to transplantation and 29% had ASCVD. Three-year actuarial patient and allograft survival are 91% and 74%, respectively. Surgical complications were infrequent, and postoperative rejection episodes were less frequent than in younger patients but were more likely to lead to graft loss. Medical complications, especially infection, were common after transplantation but easily managed. Cadaveric renal transplantation with cyclosporine immunosuppression is a safe and effective therapeutic modality that is no longer contraindicated in elderly patients.     

The clinical significance of post-transplantation non-HLA antibodies in renal transplantation

This study was undertaken to examine the clinical relevance of antibodies detected in the sera of patients following renal transplantation. The sera from 23 transplant recipients with acute rejection and 10 transplant recipients with diagnosed chronic rejection were tested against various epithelial, monocyte and endothelial cell lines (A549, HTB44, primary renal epithelial, U937 and Ea-hy 926). The test used for detecting binding antibodies was a simple, indirect immunofluorescence flow cytometric technique. The level of IgG antibodies directed against the test cell lines was examined in the sera of patients with mild or severe rejection and compared to those of patients showing no signs of rejection. Patients with chronic rejection were found to have increased levels of antibodies (IgG and IgM) when compared to patients with either end-stage renal failure or patients with stable post-transplant renal function. Antibodies detected by the present technique were directed against antigens found on all cell lines tested, and immunoblotting indicated that they were directed against non-HLA antigens. In conclusion, monitoring for the presence of such antibodies may provide a valuable prognostic indicator of graft rejection in renal transplant patients.     

Renal transplantation in patients with bilateral renal carcinoma -how long should we wait?

Patients with bilateral renal carcinoma or malignancy in solitary kideny are best managed by radical nephretomy with subsequent dialysis and transplantation. Because of the risk of recurrence of the tumour, the timing of the transplant procedure is important. We report on two patients with bilateral renal carcinoma who were subjected to radical nephrectomy and then managed with dialysis and transplantation within 6 months.     

A logical basis for age matching in organ transplantation: studies of recipient renal function in relation to donor age

The ever rising demand for renal transplantation has led to an increased use of older (> 50 years) organ donors [9]. Previous studies have shown that donor-to-recipient age difference is an independent risk factor for allograft survival [3]. A recent multicentre study of 6397 first cadaver renal transplants showed that, where donors are more than 5 years older than the recipient, there is significantly impaired graft survival [11]. The mechanism of this effect is unclear, but it has been suggested that age-related donor factors may influence subsequent graft function. Pathological studies have shown that native kidneys acquire specific histological (i. e. glomerulosclerosis, interstitial fibrosis) and functional defects in a linear fashion related to increasing age [1, 5]. Whilst graft loss may be seen as the worst outcome from using older donors, impaired function leading to shortened half-life may also occur. Recipients of kidneys from donors > 50 years of age also have a significantly higher creatinine than those from donors < 50 years of age [3]. A study was therefore undertaken to investigate in greater detail the effect of age on the function of donor kidneys in their respective recipients.     

Long‐term results of pancreas transplantation in patients older than 50 years

Aging of the population and improvements in diabetes therapy have led to an increased number of older pancreas transplant candidates. The aim of our retrospective study was to evaluate pancreas transplantation (PT) outcomes in patients ≥50 years, as limited data exist in these patients. We analyzed 398 consecutive pancreas transplant patients from June 1994 to June 2009 for different outcomes (patient/graft survival, rejection rate, and surgical complications) between the age groups ≥50 years (n = 69) and <50 years (n = 329). Donor and recipient characteristics were similar except for recipient age (54.0 vs. 38.8 years), BMI (24.6 vs. 22.9 kg/m²), and duration of diabetes mellitus (36.0 vs. 27.7 years). One‐, 5‐, and 10‐year patient and graft (kidney/pancreas) survival were not significantly different between the groups with patient survival rates reaching 84% and pancreas graft survival up to 67% after 10 years. Surgical complications such as relaparotomy rate (34% vs. 33%) or pancreas graft thrombosis (14% vs. 11%) as well as 1‐year rejection rates (35% vs. 31%) were not significantly different. PT in selected patients aged ≥50 years resulted in survival comparable with that of younger patients. In conclusion, advanced age should no longer be considered as an exclusion criterion for PT. However, good medical assessment and careful patient selection are necessary.     

肾移植前后妇女的生育力和相关激素研究

本研究应用酶免疫法检测了肾移植前、后共40例女性患者的性激素水平，并以15例近龄健康妇女作对照，结果发现肾移植受者的PRL（泌乳素），FSH（促卵泡素）及LH（促黄体素）较慢性肾功能衰竭（CRF）血液透析组明显降低，而E2（雌二醇）；和P（孕酮）在正常范围。结论：认为成功肾移植后可纠正肾衰患者由于血中肌酐、尿素氮升高造成的下丘脑功能障碍，且能恢复正常月经周期及生育力。     

Acute rejection in the elderly recipient: Influence of age in the outcome of kidney transplantation

Since the immune response in older recipientsis weaker they should be less likely to rejecta transplanted organ and should need lessaggressive immunosuppressive treatment. Our aimwas to record the incidence and severity ofepisodes of acute rejection (AR), estimate theinfluence of these events on graft survival ofelderly recipients (60) and to comparethese with that in younger ones.We performed 363 kidney transplants between1/94 and 12/98, and recorded clinical andimmunological data, incidence-severity of ARand cause of graft loss. Patients were dividedinto two groups, according to the age attransplantation: A (<60, n = 281/77.4%) and B( 60, n = 82/22.6%). The percentage ofaging recipients and mean age of donors andrecipients increased throughout the period.Although the incidence of ATN was higher in theolder group (29% vs.19%, p < 0.0001) thenumber of graft biopsies was equal in bothgroups. The incidence of AR was similar, 33.4%vs. 26.8%, pNS. The number of AR episodes perpatient was 0.44 and 0.41 respectively. Theseverity of AR was: Banff grade I: A (40.3%)/B (45.7%) pNS; grade II: A (44.1%)/B(48.57) pNS; grade III: A (15.5%)/B (5.7%)pNS. Younger recipients presented a higherlevel of panel-reactive antibodies (PRA) (4.3%vs. 2.07%, p = 0.01). One-year patient survivalwas 96%/91% (p<0.05) and graft survivalwas 81%/78% (pNS) respectively.The age of recipient does not seem to haveinfluenced the incidence-severity of AR or thegraft survival. Thus immunosuppression shouldbe individualised for each patient and shouldnot depend on the age at transplantation.