Value of donor swabs for intra-abdominal infection in simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation

BACKGROUND: Simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (SPK) has a higher rate of surgical complications compared with other whole organ transplantations. Graft thrombosis and intra-abdominal infections are the most frequent causes for relaparotomy. We evaluated risk factors for abdominal infections after SPK, with emphasis on the value of the routinely taken intraoperative swabs. METHODS: Between June 1994 and December 2000, 177 SPK were performed. Immunosuppression consisted of antithymocyte globulin induction and triple-drug maintenance therapy. Routine swabs were taken from the graft perfusion solutions, from the donors' duodenum, and from the recipients' bladder and jejunum (in case of enteric drainage). RESULTS: A total of 19 (10.7%) of 177 patients underwent 41 relaparotomies as a result of intra-abdominal infections. Positive microbial results from any donor site and positive duodenal swabs were significant risk factors for intra-abdominal infections after SPK (P=0.01, P=0.02). There was a significantly higher incidence of abdominal infections when Candida was found in the donor duodenal swab (P=0.0048). Patient survival was significantly lower in cases with abdominal infection (P=0.02). Survival rates of patients with and without abdominal infection were 89.5% and 97.4% at 1 year and 72.3% and 92.8% at 5 years, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study confirm that abdominal infections significantly reduce patient survival and thus jeopardize the success of SPK. Positive donor duodenal swabs have been revealed to be a significant risk factor for a subsequent intra-abdominal infection, especially when Candida was found.     

Cytomegalovirus infection in simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation

INTRODUCTION: In this open-label multicenter study, 205 simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) transplant recipients between 1998 and 2000 were randomly assigned to tacrolimus or cyclosporine-microemulsion (ME). All patients received concomitant rATG induction therapy, mycophenolate mofetil and short-term corticosteroids. We report the 3-year data related to the occurrence, severity and effect of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections. The type of CMV prophylaxis and treatment was at the discretion of the investigator. RESULTS: The overall incidence of CMV infection was 34% with no difference in incidence between the tacrolimus and cyclosporine-ME treatment arms. Statistically significant fewer CMV infections occurred among patients who received ganciclovir (22%) than those who did not receive prophylaxis (42%; P = .0075) or were treated with acyclovir (43%; P = .0066). The CMV infection rate according to donor recipient CMV serological status was: D-/R- group 11%, which was lower than the D-/R+ group at 40% (P = .0035), the D+/R+ group at 37% (P = .0024), or the D+/R- group at 52% (P = .00001). Among the last three groups, the infection rate was lower in patients on ganciclovir than those with no prophylaxis or on acyclovir (22% vs 64%; P = .00001). The incidence of acute rejection episodes was higher among patients without ganciclovir prophylaxis. No difference was observed in actuarial patient, kidney, or pancreas survival rates between patients with versus without infection. CONCLUSIONS: Ganciclovir prophylaxis effectively prevented CMV infection in SPK transplant recipients, especially in higher risk groups. An effect of CMV prophylaxis on the incidence of rejection is possible.     

Cardiovascular events after simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation

Objective

To retrospectively evaluate the incidence of cardiovascular events after functioning simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (SPKT).

Patients and Methods

Cardiovascular events after 89 SPKT procedures performed at our institution from March 1995 to March 2009 were investigated. Study criteria included normal functioning of both grafts. Patients included 36 women and 53 men, with mean (range) age of 37.7 (25-66) years. Duration of diabetes mellitus was 23.6 (10-48) years, and of dialysis therapy was 19.8 (0-70) months. The exocrine pancreatic secretions were drained to the bladder in 41 patients, and enterically in 45 patients. Mean (SD) follow-up was 58.62 (34.74) months.

Results

During follow-up after SPKT, 9 patients (10.1%) experienced cardiovascular events including cerebrovascular accident in 4 patients, myocardial infarction (MI) in 3, and episodes of angina pectoris without evidence of coronary artery disease in 2 patients. Nevertheless, these two patients had sustained an MI that required coronary angioplasty before SPKT. Moreover, coronary angioplasty was required in 2 patients before they were enrolled in the transplantation program because of silent coronary artery disease. Four of 9 cardiovascular events occurred in the perioperative period. No deaths occurred due to cardiovascular events. Patient survival rate was 100%, with both grafts functioning in 87 (97.8%).

Conclusion

Cardiovascular events occur relatively frequently in patients undergoing SPKT. In the present study, most events occurred in the perioperative period, but did not result in death.     

Sexual dysfunction after simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation

Simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (SPK) is the treatment of choice for patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) because it improves survival, is cost-effective, and can mitigate secondary complications of diabetes. Patient-reported outcomes such as quality of life (QoL) have recently received increased attention among transplant recipients. However, the impact of erectile dysfunction on patient QoL has not been investigated in this high-risk group with a history of diabetes and uremia. We applied the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) to describe the prevalence and severity of self-reported changes in erectile function after transplantation, comparing the quality of well-being (QWB) index of subgroups of 101 consecutive male SPK recipients with varying degrees of erectile function. Only 21% of patients did not suffer from erectile dysfunction; 18% were classified as mild erectile dysfunction, 31% as mild to moderate, 21% as moderate, and 9% as severe according to the IIEF scores. Forty-one percent of patients reported subjective overall improvement in erectile dysfunction compared with their pretransplant status; 7% considered their sexual function to be worse than before, and 51% did not note any change. The QWB index was highest among the group of patients without erectile dysfunction, decreasing gradually but significantly with increasing severity. A direct impact of erectile dysfunction on QoL, as well as a confounding effect of underlying vascular comorbidities, could explain this finding.     

Thrombotic microangiopathy after simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation

Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is rare after transplantation and is associated with a high incidence of kidney graft dysfunction. Between December 2000 and March 2006, 136 simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantations were performed with an incidence of TMA of 5.1% (71.4% localized to kidney allograft). All cases were diagnosed during the first three months and were attributed to tacrolimus; 74% were women. Systemic TMA presented higher values of lactate dehydrogenase (2658 +/- 659 U/L vs. 1331 +/- 473 U/L, p = 0.04) and a greater decrease in hematocrit (45.8 +/- 17.7% vs. 19.2 +/- 6%, p = 0.02) than in localized TMA. Acute kidney rejection complicated almost 90% of the cases with 43% of kidney graft lost. Tacrolimus was switched to sirolimus and fresh-frozen plasma was administered. Creatinine clearance after a mean follow-up of two yr was 100.7 mL/min/1.73 m(2) and 57.9 mL/min/1.73 m(2) in patients with systemic and localized TMA, respectively. In conclusion, sirolimus is an alternative to TMA associated with tacrolimus.     

Immunosuppressive drugs after simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation

INTRODUCTION: We report the early and late secondary effects of tacrolimus or cyclosporine-microemulsion (ME), in combination with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), and rATG. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred three patients were randomly assigned to tacrolimus (initial oral dose 0.2 mg/kg) and 102 to cyclosporine-ME (initial daily oral dose 7 mg/kg). All patients received 4 days of concomitant rATG induction therapy [ATG-Fresenius Biotech GmbH (ATG-F) daily dose of 4 mg/kg or Thymoglobulin-Genzyme/Sangstat (Thymo-S) 1.25 mg/kg], MMF (2 to 3 g per day), and short-term corticosteroids. RESULTS: Thymo-S was associated with a transiently lower white cell count in the first 3 months compared with ATG-F, while ATG-F caused a lower albeit transient early nadir in platelet count. Both polyclonal preparations were well tolerated; they did not differ with respect to clinically relevant side effects such as infections and malignancies. Higher cyclosporine-ME trough levels were associated with pancreas graft thrombosis. Study withdrawal was more frequent among patients on cyclosporine-ME therapy, because of toxicities, graft loss, and lack of efficacy, the last being the cause of subsequent switch to tacrolimus. Tacrolimus-treated patients were mainly withdrawn from the study due to MMF discontinuation. CONCLUSION: Short-term induction therapy in combined kidney-pancreas transplantation is effective and well tolerated. Tacrolimus causes fewer pancreas graft losses and fewer drug discontinuations due to side effects. When MMF is combined with tacrolimus, dose reductions and discontinuations are common.     

Metabolic assessment after simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation

Simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) transplantation has become a standard therapy for patients with type 1 diabetes and end-stage renal disease. We analyzed metabolic data in this clinical setting under tacrolimus- versus cyclosporine microemulsion (ME)-based immunosuppressive therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed 205 patients enrolled in the Euro-SPK001 study for fasting blood glucose, fasting C peptide, glycated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)), blood lipids (total cholesterol and triglycerides), and pancreatic enzymes at regular intervals during the study. We compared blood pressure values with target levels for diabetic patients published by the European Society for Hypertension. RESULTS: Throughout the study, HbA(1c) and fasting C peptide levels were within the normal range in the two groups. Fasting blood glucose was higher during the first 2 months posttransplant in the tacrolimus group than in the cyclosporine-ME group, but no differences were seen thereafter. From month 2 posttransplant, mean levels of total cholesterol were significantly lower among patients receiving tacrolimus than those in the cyclosporine-ME group. In addition, patients receiving cyclosporine-ME showed serologic features of mild pancreatitis with elevated blood amylase and lipase levels during the first 6 months posttransplant. The two regimens were comparable with respect to hypertension, but target levels were reached in only 50% of the patients. CONCLUSION: Except for lipid profiles, no major differences in metabolic effects or blood pressure control were observed among SPK transplant patients receiving immunosuppression based on tacrolimus versus cyclosporine-ME. In view of the potential risk of hypertension, antihypertensive strategies should be implemented for all patients.     

Infectious complications after simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation

Simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (SPKT) improves long-term survival of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients with diabetic nephropathy. The increasing success of SPKT is a result of improved surgical technique, better organ preservation, potent antirejection therapy, and effective use of antibiotics to prevent and treat infectious complications. However, morbidity and mortality following SPKT remain high mainly owing to infection. From 1988 to 2004, the 51 patients who underwent SPKT were 32 women and 19 men of mean age 34 +/- 4 years old with diabetes and end-stage renal disease. The mean duration of diabetes mellitus was 23 +/- 4 years. The incidence of HCV and HBV infections were 19.6% and 13.7%, respectively. Preoperative work-up included identification and elimination prior to surgery of potential sources of infection. All patients prior to SPKTx had been treated by dialysis (26 +/- 20 months). The kidneys were always placed into the left retroperitoneal space first; at the same time the pancreatic grafts were prepared on the back table. The reconstruction of the superior mesenteric and the splenic arteries was performed using a Y graft of donor iliac artery to the common or external donor's iliac artery. The pancreas was transplanted intraperitoneally to the right iliac vessels. The portal vein was sutured to the common or external iliac vein and the arterial conduit of donor iliac artery. In 20 of the patients, bladder drainage and in 31, enteric drainage was used for the pancreatic juice exterioration. Patients received immunosuppression with a calcineurin inhibitor (tacrolimus or cyclosporin), mycophenolic acid or azathioprine, and steroids. Antibody induction (alternatively anti-IL-2 monoclonal antibody or ATG) was used in last 38 patients. Antibacterial (tazobactam) and antifungal (fluconazole) as well as antiviral (gancyclovir) prophylactic treatment was given to all patients for 7 to 10 days after transplantation. Thirty-eight recipients are alive, 26 with function of both grafts; 8 with functioning kidney grafts; and 4 with nonfunctioning grafts on dialysis treatment from 1 to 14 years after transplantation. Thirteen patients (24.5%) died during the first year after transplantation. Infectious complications were the main cause of death. Systemic infections accounted for the death of five patients and CNS infection for death of another five patients. Three patients died with functioning grafts due to cardiopulmonary disorders (myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolus) early in the postoperative period. A total of 102 infections were diagnosed in 51 patients during the posttransplant course. Twenty-one episodes of CMV infection (systemic 20, duodenal site 1), 73 bacterial infections (systemic 13, pulmonary 13, urinary tract 15, intestinal 8, wound 23), and 8 fungal infections (central nervous system 5, gastrointestinal tract 3). Some patients had more than one type of infection. Overall mortality in the investigated group was 24.5%. Infectious complications were the main cause of death (77%), including systemic infection (38.5%) and CNS infection (38.5%). The predominant etiology of the systemic infections was bacterial. The etiology of CNS infections was fungal. In conclusion, infectious complications are the main cause of morbidity and mortality following SPKT. The early diagnosis of infection, particularly fungal complications, is necessary. The administration of broad-spectrum prophylactic antibiotics, antifungal, and antiviral agents is recommended.     

Quality of life after simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation

Even recipients with satisfactory function of transplanted pancreas and kidney may show physical and/or social disability due to diabetic complications. Our aims were to evaluate diabetic complications influencing recipient quality of life and to assess patients' psychosociological status. Nineteen patients with functioning grafts who consented to take part in the study, underwent clinical evaluation and answered questions regarding their quality of life. Results showed excellent endocrine pancreatic function in 17 patients. In most recipients, insulin activity and C-peptide levels were elevated owing to systemic venous drainage. Opthalmological examination revealed blindness in 7 patients (in 4 cases with onset following SPKTx) and retinopathy in 13 patients (in 5 cases it appeared after SPKTx). Assessment of the cardiovascular system revealed satisfactory cardiac function in 16 of 19 patients; 4 patients underwent amputation of a lower limb following SPKTx. All 19 recipients admitted to a great benefit of transplantation; most patients declared ability to organize their life activity and social functions and 4 had regular employment. Conversely, most patients were afraid of graft loss, and half were often sad and even depressed.     

胰肾联合移植术后排斥反应分析

目的 探讨预防和逆转胰肾联合移植术后排斥反应的方法。方法 回顾性分析1999年9月～2003年9月17例同种异体胰肾联合移植手术患者的临床资料。全部病例采用口服免疫抑制剂：环孢素A、霉酚酸酯或硫唑嘌呤、激素三联用药。其中2例术前及术后第5天应用抗IL-2R单克隆抗体,3例应用OKT3进行免疫诱导。结果 17例患者中1例发生移植胰腺、肾脏加速性排斥反应．经保守治疗无效,切除移植物;8例发生急性排斥反应,其中单纯肾脏排斥反应6例,同时累及胰腺、肾脏的排斥反应2例,经甲泼尼龙或OKT3治疗后均逆转。结论 胰肾联合移植术后合理应用免疫抑制剂。术前采用综合措施降低高危受者的致敏性,是预防和治疗排斥反应的有效方法。     

胰肾联合移植术后死亡原因分析

目的分析肠道引流式胰肾联合移植术后死亡原因。方法回顾分析我院2001年5月至2006年10月开展的10例胰肾联合移植治疗终末期糖尿病并发尿毒症患者的临床资料，分析胰肾联合移植术后死亡的原因。结果3例胰肾联合移植术后死亡，其中2例死于肺部感染，1例死于缺血坏死性胰腺炎。结论胰肾联合移植术风险较大，肺部感染、缺血坏死性胰腺炎是术后死亡的主要原因。     

Cytomegalovirus infection of the graft duodenum and urinary bladder after simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is an important cause of morbidity after solid organ transplantation. We report a case of CMV infection involving the transplanted duodenum that developed after simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation. The patient, a 30-year-old woman with insulin-dependent diabetes undergoing hemodialysis due to chronic renal failure, received a simultaneous cadaveric pancreas-kidney transplantation. The exocrine secretion was diverted using bladder drainage. Immunosuppression was maintained by a combination of tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and steroids together with OKT3 induction. Both the donor and the recipient were serologically positive for CMV IgG CMV prophylaxis consisted of a short course of parenteral gancyclovir. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 39 with normal pancreas and kidney function. She presented 2 months after transplantation with hematuria. Cystoscopic pancreas allograft biopsy specimens showed evidence of tissue invasive CMV infection in the graft duodenum and bladder. The CMV antigenemia test was positive. At 4 months after transplantation, the patient underwent surgery with the diagnosis of acute abdomen. The surgical findings consisted of a diffuse acute purulent peritonitis due to perforation of the duodenal graft. We sutured the perforation with nonreabsorbable material. The CMV antigenemia test was negative. Eight days later, the patient developed massive hematuria. At surgery, the graft was removed. The patient was discharged from the hospital with normal renal function. Pathological study of the removed graft showed the duodenal segment to have multiple wide ulcers with CMV inclusions in epithelial cells.     

胰肾联合移植改善糖尿病继发病变的初步研究

目的探讨胰肾联合移植术对糖尿病并发肾功能衰竭患者继发病变的改善情况。方法回顾性分析本院糖尿病并发肾功能衰竭患者接受胰肾联合移植术前及术后2年的临床资料。结果 8例胰肾联合移植患者除1例因脑血管意外放弃治疗外,余7例患者术后恢复顺利。平均随访时间23.3(1～56)个月。与术前比较,尿蛋白明显改善(P0.05);视网膜病变、心脏功能等指标改善差异无统计学意义。结论胰肾联合移植术可改善糖尿病并发肾功能衰竭患者的糖尿病肾病。     

Delayed kidney allograft function after simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation

Background

Simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (SPKT) is one of the treatments for insulin-dependent chronic renal failure patients.

Methods

One-year patient and kidney allograft survival rates of 150 patients undergoing SPKT were subjected to Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier analyses. Uni- and multivariate methods identified risk factors involved in allograft and patient survival.

Results

One-year patient and kidney allograft survival rates were 82% and 80%, respectively. Delayed graft function (DGF) (P = .001; hazard ratio [HR]5.41) and acute kidney rejection episodes (P = .016; HR 3.36) were related to 1 year patient survival as well as intra-abdominal infection (IAI) rates. (IAI). One-year kidney allograft survival was related to DGF (P = .013; odds ratio [OR] 3.39), acute rejection (P = .001; OR 4.74), and IAI (P = .003, OR 6.29). DGF was related to a time on dialysis >27 months (P = .046; OR 2.59), cold kidney ischemia time >14 hours (P = .027; OR 2.94), donor age >25 years (P = .03; OR 2.82), and donor serum sodium concentration >155 mEq/L (P < .0001; OR 1.09). Female kidney to male recipient in 17% of the cases did not increase the risk of DGF. We observed an important correlation between donor serum sodium and creatinine (P < .0001), which suggested undertreatment of diabetes insipidus secondary to brain death.

Conclusions

DGF, acute rejection, and IAI were the main determinants of survival after SPKT. Improving the care of deceased donors may reduce DGF occurrence.     

Antibody-mediated rejection of the kidney after simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation

The prevalence, risk factors, and outcome of antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) of the kidney after simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation are unknown. In 136 simultaneous pancreas-kidney recipients who were followed for an average of 3.1 yr, 21 episodes of AMR of the kidney allograft were identified. Eight episodes occurred early (相似文献   

Nasogastric decompression is not necessary after simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether eliminating routine nasogastric (NG) decompression after simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) transplantation would reduce hospital length of stay without any increase in complications. BACKGROUND: University of Wisconsin performs all pancreas transplantations with enteric drainage of exocrine secretions. Traditionally, NG tube decompression has been used for 5 postoperative days. This strategy was supported by the fact that most patients with diabetes have a history of gastroparesis. However, to date, no study has evaluated whether NG decompression is necessary post pancreas transplantation. METHODS: We have conducted a retrospective review of 182 primary SPK transplant recipients from 2002 to 2005. Before August 2004 we used NG decompression for 5 days postoperatively and resumed diet 24 hours after tube removal. After this period, diets were initiated with return of bowel function. We eliminated routine NG decompression in 2004. One hundred and thirty-two patients had NG decompression and 50 patients did not. Induction therapy changed during the study timeframe from basiliximab in the NG group to alemtuzumab in the no NG group. Maintenance therapy was similar between the 2 groups consisting of prednisone, mycophenolate mofetil, and tacrolimus. RESULTS: Patients managed without NG tubes had significantly shorter length of stay (9.1 +/- 3.93 days) compared with patients managed with NG tube decompression (13.8 +/- 8.99 days) (P < 0.0001). Only 6 patients initially managed without NG tubes required NG placement during their hospital stay, including 2 patients returned to the operating room for nongastrointestinal complications. No differences existed between groups in complications, graft or patient survival. CONCLUSIONS: Historically, NG tube decompression has been recommended postoperatively in SPK patients. These data refute this traditional clinical practice. SPK patients managed without NG decompression have shorter hospital length of stay, equivalent graft survival, and no increased morbidity.     

胰肾联合移植的排斥反应

目的　探讨胰肾联合移植术后的排斥反应。方法　对我院施行的 3例胰肾联合移植的病人 ,采用FK5 0 6 MMF Perid Zenapax四联免疫治疗方案 ,通过床边彩超及Cr、BUN、血糖等来监测移植物的排斥反应。对排斥反应采用激素冲击疗法 ,对激素不敏感者采用OKT3治疗。结果　3例患者中有 2例出现排斥反应 ,其发生率达 6 6 % ;在出现排斥反应时 ,首先表现为低热、全身不适 ,尿量减少 ,血Cr、BUN升高 ,彩超示移植物血流阻抗升高 ,之后才是血糖升高。结论　胰肾联合移植中 ,排斥反应与多种因素有关 ,移植肾对移植胰具有保护作用 ,肾脏可以作为监测胰腺排异的窗口 ,彩超检查可以作为筛选移植物排异反应的手段。     

全胰、肾一期联合移植一例

目的 总结临床胰、肾联合移植的经验与教训。方法 对１例胰岛素依赖型糖尿病合并尿毒症患者施行膀胱引流式尸体全胰、十二指肠及肾一期联合移植。术后采用包括抗淋巴细胞诱导的四联序贯免疫抑制方案,维持免疫抑制彩环孢素Ａ、泼尼松和霉酚酸酯组成的三联方案。结果 术后第４ｄ,移植肾和胰腺功能恢复良好,血肌酐、尿素氮及空腹血糖降至正常,术后２０ｄ,完全停用胰岛素,患者现已存活９个月,情况良好。结论 胰、肾联合移植应