Background: Antithymocyte globulin (ATG) is widely used as an induction therapyafter kidney transplantation. The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness and safety of induction therapy between two ATG formulations, Grafalon (Fresenius ® ) and Thymoglobulin (Sanofi ® ), in kidney transplant patients. Methods: This study included 140 consecutive kidney transplant recipients, 71 treated with Grafalon and 69 treated with Thymoglobulin, in the period between February 2010 and January 2018. To optimize therapy costs, considering the periodically limited drug availability and the substantial drug waste in the case of Grafalon, Thymoglobulin induction was introduced into the immunosuppressive protocol. Results: The ATG total dose in mg/kg of body mass [median: 5.3 (3.7-7.1) vs 8.6 (4.3-17.3); P < .001] was significantly lower in the Thymoglobulin subgroup. There were 7 (5%) graft losses and 15 (10.7%) deaths during the first 12 months, with 66.7% of deaths due to infection complications. Patients treated with Thymoglobulin were characterized by a lower absolute lymphocyte count at day 7 and during the 12 months of follow-up, compared with the Grafalon group [236 (205-267) vs 483 (372-594), respectively; P < .001]. Logistic regression analysis showed that a lymphocyte count < 200/µL at day 7 (OR = 10.5; 95%CI, 1.6-69.0; P = .01) and age >50 years (OR = 14.6; 95%CI, 1.4-155.0; P = .03), but not type of ATG, independently increased the risk of death due to infection. The 12-month acute rejection rate was higher in the Grafalon group (25.3% vs 10.1%, P = .02).Conclusion: Treatment with Thymoglobulin in kidney transplant recipients resulted in more pronounced lymphopenia and a lower 12-month rate of acute rejection. K E Y W O R D Santithymocyte globulin, complications, induction, kidney transplant, mortality
Background: The panel-reactive antibodies that use the complement-dependent cytotoxicity test (PRA-CDC) are still a standard method for monitoring the degree of immunization in kidney transplant candidates on active waiting lists in some countries, including Poland. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between the maximum and the last pre-transplant PRA titer on the percentage of positive cross-matches and rate of early acute rejection episodes. Material and methods: The retrospective analysis included 528 patients from two transplant centers. All patients were divided into three groups, depending on their peak and last pre-transplant PRA titers. There were 437 (82.8%) patients with peak PRA <20% (non-sensitized group, non-ST) and 91 (17.2%) patients with peak PRA >20%. Among the latter group, 38 had maintained PRA level >20% at the time of transplantation (sensitized patients, ST), whereas 53 had pre-transplant PRA ≤20% (previously sensitized patients, prev-ST). Results: The percentages of positive crossmatches were 76.9% in ST and 53.7% in prev-ST groups versus 18.4 in non-ST group (both p < 0.001). The acute rejection rates were 18.9, 17.6 and 6.8%, respectively (p < 0.001 for ST or prev-ST versus non-ST). The pre-transplant PRA titer drop did not decrease the risk of early acute rejection [OR = 1.09 (95% CI: 0.31–3.85)] in a multiple logistic regression analysis. The occurrences of primary graft non-function and delayed graft function were similar in all study groups. Conclusions: Previously immunized kidney transplant candidates even with substantial decrease in pre-transplant PRA-CDC levels are still at high immunological risk when compared with non-immunized patients, and they should receive lymphocyte-depleting induction therapy.
Background: Carotid atherosclerosis is one of the main cerebrovascular complications in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). We analyzed the relationships between carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and the occurrence and characteristics of carotid plaques in a cohort of KTRs. Methods: In 500 KTRs (aged 49.9 ± 12.0 years), IMT was measured and carotid plaques were semi-qualitatively assessed. Concomitantly, biochemical and hormonal inflammatory, vascular and calcium-phosphate metabolism parameters were also assessed. Results: In 10.2% of patients, a side-to-side IMT difference >0.1 mm was observed, whereas 26.8% of patients with no plaques in one carotid artery had at least one contralateral calcified plaque. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age (r partial = 0.409; p < 0.001), male sex (r partial = 0.199; p < 0.001), and coronary artery disease (r partial = 0.139; p < 0.01) independently increased IMT (R 2 = 0.25). For the occurrence of calcified carotid plaques, age (r partial = 0.544; p < 0.001), male gender (r partial = 0.127; p < 0.05), and the duration of renal insufficiency prior to transplantation (r partial = 0.235; p < 0.001) were confirmed as independent variables. Conclusions: Substantial side-to-side differences in IMT values and carotid plaques distribution are present in a large percentage of stable KTRs. In addition, there are different clinical risk factors profiles associated with IMT and the presence of calcified plaques. Vascular and calcium-phosphate metabolism biomarkers were not associated with any carotid atherosclerosis characteristics.
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