二次浓缩尿动态监测肾移植术后巨细胞病毒感染的研究

目的 通过与原尿沉渣、血浆标本比较人巨细胞病毒DNA(HCMV-DNA)含量的差异,评估二次浓缩尿沉渣在监测肾移植术后HCMV感染的应用价值.方法 将165例肾移植患者血浆、原尿沉渣和二次浓缩尿沉渣标本用荧光定量PCR(FQ-PCR)方法 检测肾移植前、移植后、抗病毒治疗过程中HCMV-DNA拷贝数,二次浓缩尿标本与原尿沉渣监测HCMV-DNA均阳性组进行更昔洛韦(GCV)抗病毒干预,采用卡方检验和秩和检验方法 进行组间比较.结果 165例肾移植患者术前血浆、原尿沉渣和二次浓缩尿沉渣标本中均未检测到HCMV-DNA;术后原尿沉渣中检出率25.45%,浓缩尿沉渣中检出率38.79%,差异有统计学意义(x~2=6.727,P＜0.01),血浆检出率18.18%,与二次浓缩尿组比较,差异有统计学意义(χ~2=8.598,P＜0.01);同一时间点浓缩尿HCMV-DNA检出的病毒拷贝数均高于原尿,差异有统计学意义(U=4.772,P＜0.01);二次浓缩尿比原尿标本检出HCMV-DNA早7～14 d,HCMV.DNA检出高峰均集中于术后第6～8周.施加临床干预患者浓缩尿HCMV-DNA拷贝数显著下降、或调整干预方案后下降.结论 二次浓缩尿沉渣方法 能明显缩短HCMV-DNA检出时间,提高阳性检出率,能及时有效地为临床提供诊断和治疗依据,尤其在监测肾移植术后HCMV感染中具有临床应用价值.     

肾移植早期快速激素减量安全性分析

目的观察肾移植受者早期快速激素减量的安全性。方法 108例肾移植受者,在含肾上腺皮质激素(激素)的常规三联免疫抑制方案的基础上,分别接受抗胸腺细胞免疫球蛋白(ATG)或抗CD25单抗诱导治疗,于肾移植术后1个月末泼尼松减量至5～10 mg/d。统计术后1、2和3年人/肾存活率,术后1年内的急性排斥反应发生率、移植后感染发生率;记录术后1、6、12个月泼尼松的用量及环孢素(CsA)、他克莫司(FK506)、麦考酚吗乙酯(MMF)的用量,随访期间监测血压、血清肌酐(Scr)、空腹血糖水平。结果受者术后1、2和3年人/肾存活率分别为98%/95%、96%/96%和93%/93%。术后1年急性排斥反应发生率为13%,移植后感染发生率为13.9%。术后12个月内,肾移植受者CsA、FK506、MMF平均用量呈下降趋势。术后1、3、6、12个月泼尼松用量分别为(9.26±2.11)mg/d、(7.42±2.20)mg/d、(6.15±1.94)mg/d、(6.24±2.18)mg/d。术后1年血清肌酐水平为(100±23)μmol/L,收缩压为(127±10)mmHg,舒张压为(81±6)mm-Hg,空腹血糖水平为(5.35±1.44)mmol/L。结论在小剂量抗体诱导、保证钙调磷酸酶抑制剂(CNI)目标浓度,保证机体处于足量免疫抑制的情况下,肾移植术后1个月内快速减少激素至5～10mg/d,移植肾功能正常稳定,同时有助于减少激素不良反应,减少移植后近期感染风险,安全性良好。     

糖皮质激素在治疗肾移植术后巨细胞病毒性重症肺炎中的作用

目的探讨糖皮质激素在治疗肾移植术后巨细胞病毒(CMV)性重症肺炎中的作用。方法2002年1月至2004年10月发生肾移植后CMV性重症肺炎26例。选取2002年1月至2003年3月之间发病的12例为A组,2003年4月至2004年10月之间发病的14例为B组。发生CMV性重症肺炎后,A组治疗方案为:停用环孢素A(或他克莫司)和霉酚酸酯等免疫抑制剂,应用更昔洛韦等抗病毒药物,防治其它合并的感染,全身支持疗法,吸氧或呼吸机辅助通气等措施。B组除上述同样治疗措施外,还常规静脉应用甲泼尼龙(MP),起始剂量为120～150mg/d,3～5d后减量至80mg/d维持,当临床表现好转后再减量至40mg/d,应用时间为8～21d,平均12d。以后改为口服泼尼松维持。比较2组的治疗效果。结果A组应用呼吸机治疗9例(75%),其中死亡7例(58.33%),2例移植肾功能丧失,需透析治疗(16.67%);B组应用呼吸机治疗的4例(28.57%),其中死亡2例(14.29%),患者均无移植肾功能丧失。两组患者需用呼吸机治疗的几率和死亡率比较,B组均低于A组,差异均有统计学意义(P值分别为0.047和0.038)。B组患者中,均未出现激素相关的严重不良反应。结论应用适当剂量的甲泼尼龙,能有效减轻肾移植后CMV性重症肺炎的肺部炎症反应,并能减少因停用其它免疫抑制剂导致的移植肾排斥反应,降低死亡率和避免移植肾功能的丧失。     

再次肾移植受者和移植肾长期预后影响因素分析

目的探究再次肾移植受者和移植肾存活情况及长期预后影响因素。 方法回顾性分析1991年1月1日至2017年12月31日于浙江大学医学院附属第一医院肾脏病中心接受肾移植受者临床资料。共纳入再次肾移植受者37例,首次肾移植受者5 374例。根据再次肾移植受者移植肾存活时间长短,将其分为长期存活组(19例,>5年)和短期存活组(18例,≤5年)。采用成组t检验比较长期和短期存活组供受者年龄、首次与再次肾移植间隔时间、HLA错配数和再次移植供肾冷/热缺血时间。采用卡方检验比较长期和短期存活组受者性别、再次移植供肾类型、再次移植前后群体反应性抗体阳性比例、首次移植失功移植肾切除比例、再次移植前免疫诱导比例及再次移植后移植肾功能延迟恢复(DGF)和急性排斥反应发生比例。采用Kaplan-Meier法分析再次和首次肾移植受者/移植肾1、5和10年存活率。采用Cox比例风险模型分析影响再次肾移植术后移植肾长期存活影响因素。P<0.05为差异有统计学意义。 结果截至2018年3月1日,37例再次肾移植受者中位随访时间为152个月(11～323个月),2例死亡,18例发生移植肾失功,17例移植肾功能稳定。5 374例首次肾移植受者中位随访时间为108.9个月(0.1～350.0个月),459例死亡,1 343例发生移植肾失功。再次移植组受者/移植肾1、5和10年存活率分别为86%/81%、86%/62%和82%/36%,首次移植组受者/移植肾1、5和10年存活率分别为99%/98%、93%/89%和88%/80%。再次移植组移植肾1、5和10年存活率均低于首次移植组(χ²＝60.816、25.110和43.900,P均<0.05);再次移植组受者1年存活率低于首次移植组,差异有统计学意义(χ²＝40.409,P<0.05)。长期和短期存活组受者再次移植后移植肾DGF和急性排斥反应发生比例差异均有统计学意义(χ²＝4.039和4.748,P均<0.05)。Cox回归分析结果示DGF和急性排斥反应是影响再次肾移植受者移植肾长期存活的独立危险因素,差异有统计学意义(RR＝4.317和4.571,P均<0.05)。 结论再次肾移植受者移植肾存活率低于首次肾移植受者,DGF和急性排斥反应是影响再次移植受者移植肾存活的独立危险因素。     

肾移植术后患者血清半胱氨酸蛋白酶抑制物水平与肾功能的关系

目的 探讨肾移植术后患者血清半胱氨酸蛋白酶抑制物(CyC)的水平变化与移植肾功能的相关性.方法选择193例使用他克莫司(FK506)加霉酚酸酯(MMF)加泼尼松(Pred)三联免疫抑制剂肾移植患者术后的血、尿标本,测定血清CyC和血、尿肌酐.经统计学分析,与常规的血清肌酐(SCr)浓度及尿肌酐清除率(CCr)和内生肌酐清除率(CkCCr)作相关性比较,评估CyC判断移植肾肾小球滤过功能的敏感性和特异性.结果 193例肾移植患者术后第5天血清CyC、SCr和CCr、CkCCr分别为(1.91±1.28)mg/L、(174.2±129.1)μmol/L、(67.9±27.3)ml/min、(68.1±27.8)ml/min.其中CyC浓度＜1.25 mg/L者42例,1.25～2.00 mg/L者102例,＞2.0 mg/L者49例;SCr浓度＜125/μmol/L者62例,125～200μmol/L者83例,＞200/μmol/L者48例;CkCCr＞80ml/min者52例,80～60 ml/min者96例,＜60 ml/min者45例.CyC与SCr呈正相关(r=0.886,P＜0.001),与CkCCr呈负相关(r=-0.907,P＜0.001);SCr与CkCCr呈负相关(r=-0.889,P＜0.001).非参数受试者工作特征曲线分析CyC、SCr、CCr、CkCCr曲线下面积分别为0.877、0.771、0.832、0.909,其诊断敏感性和特异性分别为91.6%、69.3%,52.2%、96.1%,67.5%、77.1%和84.6%、71.3%. 结论 肾功能轻度损害时,血清CyC比SCr先一步增高,有可能成为评定肾移植患者移植肾功能的敏感性标志物.     

尿毒症肾移植患者围手术期人巨细胞病毒基因检测及意义

目的探讨尿毒症患者肾移植围手术期人类巨细胞病毒(HCMV)基因检测的意义。方法肾移植患者外周血标本56例,健康对照组外周血标本15例。采用荧光定量PCR(FQ-PCR)技术测定标本中HCMV基因拷贝数,结合临床表现进行综合分析。结果56例患者术前HCMV异常表达21例(37.5%),男17例,女4例,检测值(3.84±2.72)×104基因拷贝数/ml;移植术后异常表达增至25例(44.6%),检测值(5.32±4.72)×104基因拷贝数/ml。对照组15例,异常表达1例(6.7%)。结论尿毒症患者肾移植围手术期HCMV基因拷贝数检测可以作为HCMV活动性感染的预警,为临床早期诊断、预防和治疗提供依据。     

移植肾自发性破裂2例护理

移植肾自发性破裂是肾移植术早期严重并发症之一,发生率为0.8%～8.5%,发病急骤,危险性大,应当引起足够重视,现将2例报告如下。病例简介例1,男性,33岁,因慢性肾小球肾炎,尿毒症期于1991年6月21日行肾移植术,术后服用环孢素A每日7mg/kg,硫唑嘌呤每日1mg/kg,强的松20mg/d,甲基强的松龙0.5g/d,冲击3天,尿量3000ml/d左右。术后第4天晨,坐起后突然感移植肾剧痛,无尿,体温38℃,脉搏100次/分,血压20/12kPa,查移植肾饱满,即给甲基强的松龙0.5g加入5%葡萄糖100ml静滴,症状无缓解,行手术探查,术中见移植肾大,色正常,肾后皮质裂口1cm。用明胶海绵压迫止血,清除血肿。术后移植肾恢复好,     

38例小儿双供肾成人肾移植临床疗效分析

目的总结小儿双供肾移植临床应用数据和经验,探讨改善其移植术后疗效的措施。方法回顾性分析2014年9月至2019年11月华中科技大学同济医学院附属协和医院38例小儿双供肾移植资料,小儿供者年龄(63.6±5.7)d,体重(4.1±0.2)kg,受者年龄(28.1±1.4)岁,体重(48.7±4.9)kg。收集供、受者基本情况与术前检查结果,采集受者术前和术后7、30 d及3、6、12个月的血肌酐水平,记录肾移植术后血栓、尿漏、移植肾功能延迟性恢复、蛋白尿、移植肾周血肿等并发症的发生情况与治疗预后。结果术后1年移植物存活率为76.3%(29/38),移植受者存活率100%(38/38),移植物长期存活的29例受者中,手术2周后均无须透析辅助治疗,术后1年血肌酐水平均降至正常。血栓是最主要的术后并发症。肾动、静脉血栓形成导致肾功能丧失发生率18.4%(7/38),余并发症还包括尿漏20.7%(6/29)、移植肾周血肿6.9%(2/29)、原发性移植肾无功能2.6%(1/38)等。结论小儿供肾作为扩大供肾来源的有效方式,临床应用是可行的。     

影响再次肾移植临床效果的主要因素

目的:探讨影响再次肾移植临床效果的主要因素.方法:报告我院115例再次肾移植患者的临床资料,并与同期首次移植患者的人/肾存活率对比观察.结果:两组间1、3、5年受者存活率的差异无统计学意义;而移植肾的存活率再次移植组明显低于对照组(P<0.05).再次肾移植受者淋巴毒试验<59例,5%～10(例,>10%9例,其移植肾存活率分别为72%、31%、0%.再次肾移植受者PRA<10C例,>10例,其术后急性排斥反应发生率分别为30.2%、75.0%.术后排斥反应、感染、肝功能损伤的发生率,再次移植组高于首次移植组(P<0.05);高血压、高血脂、糖尿病的发生率两组未见显著性差异.结论:再次移植肾存活率低于首次移植;术前PRA、淋巴毒水平是影响再次肾移植效果的主要因素;术后排斥反应、感染及肝功能损伤的发生率高于首次肾移植.     

再次肾移植的临床研究

目的对再次肾移植进行临床总结。方法回顾性分析86例再次移植患者的临床资料,并与86例首次肾移植患者进行对比分析。首次肾移植失败的原因,17例为超急性排斥反应,9例为急性排斥反应,55例为慢性移植肾肾病,4例为移植肾破裂,1例为严重肾结核;再次移植前,31例群体反应性抗体(PRA)或补体依赖细胞毒(CDC)阳性;再次移植后,16例采用泼尼松(Pred)和硫唑嘌呤(Aza)预防急性排斥反应,70例采用环孢素A(或他克莫司)、Aza(或霉酚酸酯)及Pred组成的三联用药方案,32例再次移植前后接受抗体诱导治疗。结果再移植组人/肾1、3和5年存活率分别为84.8%/61.6%、79.1%/45.3%和58.1%/41.9%,对照组分别为89.5%/79.1%、81.4%/74.4%和67.4%/58.1%,两组人存活率的差异无统计学意义,而各时间段的肾存活率的差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);术前使用抗体诱导治疗者以及术后采用环孢素A(或他克莫司)预防排斥反应者移植肾1年存活率明显优于未用抗体诱导治疗者和仅用Aza、Pred治疗者;术后排斥反应发生率,再移植组明显高于首次移植组(P<0.05);再移植组术后感染发生率明显高于首次移植者。结论再次移植的肾存活率明显低于首次移植,术后排斥反应和感染的发生率较高;采用抗体诱导治疗有利于再移植肾的存活。     

肾移植术后人巨细胞病毒感染的早期诊断和抢先治疗效果

目的 评估肾移植术后人巨细胞病毒(HCMV)感染的早期诊断和抢先治疗效果.方法 选择2007年1月至2009年1月进行肾移植手术并坚持随访的165例受者作为研究对象.移植术前及术后第2～8周每周1次、第9～24周每2周1次收集受者血液和尿液标本.采用实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应(FQ-PCR)方法检测血液和尿液标本中的HCMV DNA拷贝数.对浓缩尿中HCMV DNA超过103拷贝/ml的受者,立即给予更昔洛韦进行抢先治疗.结果 165例肾移植受者术前血液和浓缩尿中均未检测到HCMV DNA;从术后第2周开始,浓缩尿中就可检测到HCMVDNA,峰值出现在第6～8周,且同一检测时间点,浓缩尿中HCMV DNA阳性例数均明显多于血液中阳性例数.术后共有30例受者血液中检测到HCMV DNA,阳性率为18.18%;有64例受者浓缩尿中检测到HCMV DNA,阳性率为38.79%;浓缩尿中阳性率明显高于血液,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).血液和浓缩尿中HCMVDNA均阳性的30例受者,经更昔洛韦抢先治疗后,病毒拷贝数逐渐下降,但有8例发展为巨细胞病毒性肺炎,经加强抗病毒以及其他综合治疗后痊愈,浓缩尿中HCMVDNA转阴时间为(10.2±3.4)d.另34例仅浓缩尿中HCMV DNA阳性的受者,经更昔洛韦抢先治疗后,无一例发展为巨细胞病毒性肺炎,浓缩尿中HCMV DNA转阴时间为(5.5±2.1)d,与血液和浓缩尿中HCMVDNA均阳性的受者比较,其转阴时间明显缩短,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 采用FQ-PCR方法检测受者的浓缩尿能提前检出HCMV DNA,提高阳性检出率.一旦受者浓缩尿中HCMV DNA阳性,采用抢先治疗效果较好.     

3-5 year longitudinal follow-up of pediatric patients after acute renal failure

Few data exist regarding the long-term sequelae of acute renal failure (ARF), and these studies are limited to a few renal conditions. We aim to assess the 3-5-year survival and incidence of renal injury in children who previously developed ARF of varying causes. We queried parents, physicians, and hospital/state vital statistics records to find patient survival in 174 children who previously had ARF and survived to hospital discharge. We assessed the following in 29 children for residual renal injury: (a) microalbuminuria, (b) glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by Schwartz formula, (c) hypertension, and (d) hematuria. The 3-5-year survival of children with ARF who survived to hospital discharge was 139/174 (79.9%). Most deaths (24/35 (68.5%)) occurred within 12 months after initial hospitalization. Combining those who died during initial hospitalization and in subsequent 3-5 years, the overall survival rate was 139/245 (56.8%). In all, 16 children progressed to end-stage renal disease; thus, renal survival was 127/173 (91%). Those with primary renal/urologic conditions had lower renal survival than others (24/35 (68.6%) vs 134/139 (96.4%); P<0.0001). Among the 29 patients assessed for long-term sequelae at 3-5 years, 17/29 (59%) subjects had at least one sign of renal injury; microalbuminuria (n=9), hyperfiltration (n=9), decreased GFR (n=4), and hypertension (n=6). A pediatric nephrologist was involved in care of only 6/17 (35%) with chronic renal injury. Patients have high risks of ongoing residual renal injury and death after ARF; therefore, periodic evaluation after the initial insult is necessary.     

Results of the Minnesota randomized prospective trial of cyclosporine versus azathioprine-antilymphocyte globulin for immunosuppression in renal allograft recipients

Between September 26, 1980 and June 8, 1984, 246 splenectomized, transfused renal allograft recipients were randomized to treatment with either cyclosporine (CsA)-prednisone (n = 131) or azathioprine (Aza)-prednisone-antilymphocyte globulin (n = 115). On December 31, 1984, actuarial patient survival rates at three years were 89% in the CsA group and 90% in the Aza group, and the corresponding graft survival rates were 82% and 79% (statistically insignificant differences). The results were also compared separately in diabetic and nondiabetic patients and in recipients of related and cadaver donor grafts; only in the subgroup of diabetic recipients of cadaver kidneys were the differences in graft survival rates significantly different between CsA- and Aza-treated patients. The incidence of posttransplant acute tubular necrosis was similar in CsA- and Aza-treated patients (33% v 27%), but the duration was significantly longer in CsA- than in Aza-treated recipients (15.7 +/- 18.4 v 7.7 +/- 3.0 days). Rejection episodes and infections (particularly CMV) occurred significantly less frequently in CsA- than in Aza-treated patients. Mean serum creatinine levels were significantly higher in CsA- than in Aza-treated recipients (2.0 +/- 0.6 v 1.5 +/- 0.5 mg/dl). Treatment of hypertension and hyperkalemia was required significantly more frequently in the CsA-treated patients than in the Aza-treated patients. Initial mean hospitalization time was significantly shorter in the CsA group than in the Aza group (15.6 +/- 9.5 v 19.8 +/- 10.7 days). In the CsA group, 19% of the patients were switched to Aza and 35% had Aza added to their regimen with a concomitant lowering of the CsA dose because of nephrotoxicity. The results of our randomized trial are at variance with those of others in that the graft survival rates in our trial were not different between CsA and Aza-treated patients, primarily because our conventionally-treated patients had a higher graft survival rate than in the other trials. The advantages of CsA (fewer rejection episodes, fewer infections, shorter hospitalization) outweigh the disadvantages (higher serum creatinine, more hypertension), and thus we believe it should be used in most renal allograft recipients, perhaps in combination with Aza so that a lower dose of CsA can be used and the side effects minimized--a regimen that we are currently evaluating.     

Hospitalizations for bacterial pneumonia after renal transplantation in the United States

PURPOSE: Bacterial pneumonia has been cited as the leading cause of infectious death in renal transplant recipients but has not been studied in a national transplant population. SUBJECT AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of the incidence, risk factors and mortality of hospitalized bacterial pneumonia (ICD9 Code 481.x486.x) for 33,479 renal transplant recipients in the United States Renal Data System transplanted from 1 July 1994-30 June 1997. RESULTS: Among all transplant recipients, 4.7% were hospitalized for a primary discharge diagnosis of pneumonia in the study period (2.86 episodes per 100 person years). 9.9% had bronchoscopy and 4.8% had open lung biopsy. A specific etiology was not identified in 72.5% of patients. The hospitalization rate for pneumonia and hazard for mortality due to hospitalized pneumonia were both constant over time. In logistic regression analysis, pneumonia prior to transplant (odds ratio 1.73, 95% confidence interval, 1.32-2.26), older recipient age, diabetes, delayed graft function, rejection (occurring at any time after transplant during the time of the study), duration of pre-transplant dialysis, and positive recipient cytomegalovirus serology were associated with pneumonia. In Cox Regression, hospitalization for pneumonia was associated with greater risk of mortality (hazard ratio 1.64, 95% CI, 1.42-1.89). CONCLUSIONS: Renal transplant recipients with a previous history of pneumonia are at increased risk for subsequent pneumonia, which is associated with substantially decreased patient survival. Given the low rate of specific etiologies identified in this study, invasive diagnosis may be underutilized in this population.     

Monitoring HCMV infection with quantitative real-time PCR in HCMV-positive orthotopic liver transplant recipients, and predictive factors for treatment of the first episode of HCMV viremia

We evaluated the relevance of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) monitoring with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in 42 consecutive HCMV positive liver transplant patients, and we analyzed the factors that determined the treatment of the first episode of HCMV DNAemia. No patients received anti-HCMV prophylaxis. HCMV infection monitoring was assessed every 2 weeks until day 90 and thereafter at every 3 to 4 weeks until day 180. HCMV infection was detected among 27 patients (64%, ie, 92/380 samples). Of these, 12 had their first HCMV DNAemia treated with IV gancyclovir (group I), whereas the other 15 patients were not treated (group II). Immunosuppressive treatment was not modified in cases of HCMV DNAemia. The median time between transplantation to the first CMV DNAemia was 37 days in group I and 52 days in group II (NS). Median HCMV viral load, whatever the treatment group and whatever the time of DNAemia, was 3 log copies/mL (0.48 to 5.80). Median HCMV viral load of the first positive DNAemia was 3.45 log copies/mL (1.69 to 5.80) in group I and 2.70 log copies/mL (1.15 to 3.94) in group II (P = .01). Even though liver enzymes were increased in almost all patients presenting with HCMV infection, comparison of liver-enzyme levels and hematological parameters between the two groups at first HCMV viremia showed that alkaline phosphatase levels were significantly higher (P = .0011) and hemoglobin levels were significantly lower in group I patients (P = .0443). The only factor that predicted treatment for the first episode of HCMV DNAemia was an alkaline phosphatase level >150 UI/mL at the time of the first HCMV reactivation [odds ratio 20 (1.96 to 203.3); P = .01].     

Tacrolimus plus low-dose mycophenolate mofetil in renal transplant recipients: better 2-year graft and patient survival than with a higher mycophenolate mofetil dose

OBJECTIVES: Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) has become more widely prescribed in recent years, but its adverse effects on the gastrointestinal system and bone marrow restrict its use in certain settings. The aim of this study was to compare the demographic features and clinical data for 173 renal transplant recipients who received tacrolimus (TAC) plus 1 g/d MMF (group I, n = 112) versus TAC plus 2 g/d MMF (group II, n = 61 patients) over a 2-year period. Each patient received similar TAC doses. METHODS: We compared demographic data and clinical data for each case: acute rejection (AR) episodes, chronic rejection (CR) episodes, death, graft loss, development of posttransplantation diabetes mellitus (PTDM), and posttransplantation hypertension rates. RESULTS: Demographic features were similar. There were also no significant differences between groups I and II with respect to number of AR episodes (17/112 vs 12/61, respectively), number of CR episodes (4/112 vs 1/61, respectively), PTDM, and hypertension rate (P > .05). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed 2-year graft survival rates of 94% in group I versus 83% in group II. The corresponding 2-year patient survival rates were 100% in group I versus 91% in group II. The graft survival and patient survival rates in group I were significantly higher than those in group II (log-rank 0.005 and 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The 2-year graft and patient survival rates for the renal transplant recipients in this study suggest that the combination of a full TAC dose with 1 g/d MMF is a better choice than 2 g/d MMF.     

Prognostic factors associated with poor graft outcomes in renal recipients with post-transplant glomerulonephritis

BACKGROUND: Little data are available concerning post-transplantation glomerulonephritis (PTx-GN) and its prognostic factors associated with graft outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated patients with de novo and recurrent PTx-GN to identify the factors associated with their negative impact on graft and patient outcomes. PTx-GN was diagnosed in 55 patients, wherein 17 (31%) had recurrent glomerulonephritis (GN) and 16 (29%) had de novo. RESULTS: Our enrolled population consisted of 34 +/- 13.7-yr-old male patients (72%), on hemodialysis for a median of 18 months (0-204) and mainly grafted from living donors (76%). The median onset time of proteinuria and hematuria was 50 d (10-2160) and 30 d (4-1170), respectively. One-yr graft survival rates after PTx-GN diagnosis was 64%. The most frequent de novo GN was membranous GN (26%), while focal segmental glomerulosclerosis was the most frequent recurrent GN (41%), with a very early onset (median of three months). One-yr graft survival was better in the recurrent disease than in the de novo patients, 76% vs. 55% (p = 0.24). The best predictor factors that correlated with graft survival were: proteinuria <3.5 g [relative risk (RR) = 0.24, p = 0.017], serum creatinine below 2.0 mg/dL (RR = 0.06, p = 0.016) at the time of biopsy and the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) (RR = 0.12, p = 0.005). The use of ACEI markedly improved one-yr graft survival rates (92% vs. 47%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: PTx-GN has a strong negative impact on kidney graft survival. De novo GN appears to have a poorer prognosis than the recurrent type. Patients who used ACEI showed a better survival rate in the follow-up.     

Influence of early graft function after renal transplantation and its impact on long-term graft and patient survival

Objective

To determine whether early graft function after transplantation impacted graft and patient survivals.

Materials and methods

Between 1981 and 2008, we performed 1308 renal transplantations. Poor early graft function was defined as a Cockroft-Gault glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min or less at 1 and 3 months posttransplant. Patients who lost their kidney or died within the first 12 months after transplantation were excluded from the study. Multivariate statistical analysis used Cox proportional hazards models.

Results

Of the 1308 patients 994 (78.8%) displayed poor early graft function at 1 month after transplantation (glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min), while 268 (21.2%) showed normal function (glomerular filtration rate ≥ 60 mL/min). The 2- and 6-year graft survival rates among the poor early graft function group were 96.8% and 85.8%, respectively, while those among the control group were 97.0% and 88.3%, respectively. The 2- and 6-year patient survival rates in the poor early graft function were 98.5% and 89.8% versus 98.9% and 96.3% in the control group. Similar results were observed at 3 months posttransplant. Controlling for patient age, donor age, HLA-AB and -DR mismatches, cold ischemia time, acute rejection episodes, cyclosporine therapy, and waiting time for transplantation, we did not observe early graft function to be a risk factor for graft survival or patient survival. Glomerular filtration rate at 2, 5, and 6 years after kidney transplantation was significantly lower in the poor early graft function than in the control group.

Conclusion

This study suggested that the quality of early graft function had no significant effect on graft and patient survival rate, but did have a significant influence on long-term renal function.     

A randomized trial of steroid avoidance in renal transplant patients treated with everolimus and cyclosporine

In this randomized trial renal transplant recipients were treated with basiliximab, everolimus 3 mg/day, low-dose CsA. At transplantation, patients were randomized to stop steroids at the seventh day (group A) or to continue oral steroids in low doses (group B). Of the 113 patients enrolled, 65 were randomized to group A and 68 to group B. All patients were followed for 2 years. During the study 28 (43%) group A patients required reintroduced corticosteroids. One patient died, in group B. The Graft survival rate was 97% in group A and 90% in group B. There were more biopsy-proven rejections in group A (32% vs 16%; P = .044). The mean creatinine clearance was 54 +/- 21 mL/min in group A vs 56 +/- 22 mL/min in group B. Mean levels of serum cholesterol tended to be lower in group A, but the difference was of borderline significance (191 +/- 91 vs 251 +/- 188 mg/dL; P = .07). Vascular thrombosis (0 vs 5) and pneumonia requiring hospitalization (2 vs 7) tended to be more frequent in group B. Only three cases of CMV infection (1 vs 2) occurred. An immunosuppressive therapy with everolimus and low-dose CsA allows one to obtain excellent renal graft survival and stable graft function at 2 years. Early interruption of steroids in patients treated with this regimen may increase the risk of acute rejection, but neither affects graft survival nor graft function, while possibly reducing the risk of hyperlipemia and vascular thrombosis. About 60% of patients given everolimus and low-dose CsA can definitively stop steroids after 1 week.