The effect of low titers of donor-specific antibodies (DSAs) detected only by sensitive solid-phase assays (SPAs) on renal transplant outcomes is unclear. We report the results of a systematic review and metaanalysis of rejection rates and graft outcomes for renal transplant recipients with such preformed DSAs, defined by positive results on SPA but negative complement-dependent cytotoxicity and flow cytometry crossmatch results. Our search identified seven retrospective cohort studies comprising a total of 1119 patients, including 145 with isolated DSA-SPA. Together, these studies suggest that the presence of DSA-SPA, despite a negative flow cytometry crossmatch result, nearly doubles the risk for antibody-mediated rejection (relative risk [RR], 1.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.36-2.89; P,0.001) and increases the risk for graft failure by 76% (RR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.13-2.74; P=0.01). These results suggest that donor selection should consider the presence of antibodies in the recipient, identified by the SPA, even in the presence of a negative flow cytometry crossmatch result. In 1969, Patel and Terasaki published their landmark study that definitively established the detrimental effect of preformed donor-specific antibodies (DSAs) detected by complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) crossmatch on short-term allograft survival, but they noted the limited sensitivity of the technique in the detection of preformed DSAs. 1 Since that time, technological advances have led to increasingly more sensitive tests for the detection of anti-HLA DSAs, including flow cytometry crossmatch and the more recent solid-phase assays (SPAs), such as Luminex. 2,3 The clinical significance of DSAs detected by sensitive SPA remains unclear, with disparate findings being reported in the literature. 4 Further, the clinical utility of these tests, particularly for prognostication or modifying immunosuppressive therapy, when used individually or in some sequential manner remains unclear. Our aim was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of published reports of rejection rates and graft outcomes among renal transplant recipients with preformed DSA at levels detectable only by SPA but not by CDC or flow crossmatch. RESULTSWe ultimately identified seven studies that met our inclusion criteria for the primary quantitative analysis (group 1). [5][6][7][8][9][10][11] All seven studies were retrospective cohort studies; three were from the United States and four from Europe. Our ability to compare

Apolipoprotein L1 gene (APOL1) nephropathy variants in African American deceased kidney donors were associated with shorter renal allograft survival in a prior single-center report. APOL1 G1 and G2 variants were genotyped in newly accrued DNA samples from African American deceased donors of kidneys recovered and/or transplanted in Alabama and North Carolina. APOL1 genotypes and allograft outcomes in subsequent transplants from 55 U.S. centers were linked, adjusting for age, sex and race/ethnicity of recipients, HLA match, cold ischemia time, panel reactive antibody levels, and donor type. For 221 transplantations from kidneys recovered in Alabama, there was a statistical trend toward shorter allograft survival in recipients of two-APOL1-nephropathy-variant kidneys (hazard ratio [HR] 2.71; p=0.06). For all 675 kidneys transplanted from donors at both centers, APOL1 genotype (HR 2.26; p=0.001) and African American recipient race/ethnicity (HR 1.60; p=0.03) were associated with allograft failure. Kidneys from African American deceased donors with two APOL1 nephropathy variants reproducibly associate with higher risk for allograft failure after transplantation. These findings warrant consideration of rapidly genotyping deceased African American kidney donors for APOL1 risk variants at organ recovery and incorporation of results into allocation and informed-consent processes.

Background Two apolipoprotein L1 gene (APOL1) renal-risk variants in donors and African American (AA) recipient race are associated with worse allograft survival in deceased-donor kidney transplantation (DDKT) from AA donors. To detect other factors impacting allograft survival from deceased AA kidney donors, APOL1 renal-risk variants were genotyped in additional AA kidney donors. Methods APOL1 genotypes were linked to outcomes in 478 newly analyzed DDKTs in the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. Multivariate analyses accounting for recipient age, sex, race, panel reactive antibody level, HLA match, cold ischemia time, donor age, and expanded-criteria donation were performed. These 478 transplantations and 675 DDKTs from a prior report were jointly analyzed. Results Fully-adjusted analyses limited to the new 478 DDKTs replicated shorter renal allograft survival in recipients of APOL1-two-renal-risk-variant kidneys (HR 2.00; p=0.03). Combined analysis of 1153 DDKTs from AA donors revealed donor APOL1 high-risk genotype (HR 2.05; p=3×10−4), older donor age (HR 1.18; p=0.05), and younger recipient age (HR 0.70; p=0.001) adversely impacted allograft survival. Although prolonged allograft survival was seen in many recipients of APOL1-two-renal-risk-variant kidneys, follow-up serum creatinine concentrations were higher than in recipients of zero/one APOL1-renal-risk variant kidneys. A competing risk analysis revealed that APOL1 impacted renal allograft survival, but not recipient survival. Interactions between donor age and APOL1 genotype on renal allograft survival were non-significant. Conclusions Shorter renal allograft survival is reproducibly observed after DDKT from APOL1-two-renal-risk-variant donors. Younger recipient age and older donor age have independent adverse effects on renal allograft survival.

Dual kidney transplantation using kidneys from adult marginal DDs that otherwise might be discarded offer a viable option to counteract the growing shortage of acceptable single kidneys. Excellent medium-term outcomes can be achieved and waiting times can be reduced in a predominantly older recipient population.

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In the new millennium, acceptable medium-term outcomes can be achieved in SKPT and SPTs as nearly 2/3rds of patients are insulin independent following pancreas transplantation.

In the setting of an IgG-dominant immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis, there are multiple pathological findings that strongly suggest the diagnosis of lupus nephritis (LN) including (i) 'full-house' immunofluorescence staining for IgG, IgM, IgA, C3 and C1; (ii) extraglomerular immune deposits; (iii) combined mesangial, subendothelial and subepithelial immune deposits and (iv) the presence of endothelial tubuloreticular inclusions. We report four female adult patients with renal biopsy findings which are highly suggestive of LN but without extrarenal signs, symptoms or serologies of systemic lupus erythematosus at the time of biopsy or over a mean follow-up period of 3 years. Despite aggressive therapy, outcomes were poor in this small cohort. We refer to these cases as renal-limited 'lupus-like' nephritis.

By directing ECD kidneys to selected older pts, waiting times are reduced and censored survival outcomes are similar to middle-aged patients, suggesting that matching strategies for graft and patient lifespan are warranted.