Long-term clinicopathological studies of BK-associated nephropathy (PyVAN) are not available. We studied 206 biopsies (71 patients), followed 3.09 ± 1.46 years after immunosuppression reduction. The biopsy features (% immunostain for PyV large T ag + staining and inflammation ± acute rejection) were correlated with viral load dynamics and serum creatinine to define the clinicopathological status (PyVCPS). Incidence of acute rejection was 28% in the second biopsy and 50% subsequently (25% mixed T cell-mediated allograft rejection (TCMR) + antibody-mediated allograft rejection (AMR); rejection overall affected 38% of patients (>50% AMR). Graft loss was 15.4% (0.8-5.3 years after PyVAN); 76% had complete viral clearance (mean 28 weeks). The only predictors of graft loss were acute rejection (TCMR p = 0.008, any type p = 0.07), and increased "t" and "ci" in the second biopsy (p = 0.006 and 0.048). Higher peak viremia correlated with poorer viral clearance (p = 0.002). Presumptive and proven PyVAN had similar presentation, evolution, and outcome. Late PyVAN (>2 years, 9.8%) justifies BK viremia evaluation at any point with graft dysfunction and/or biopsy evaluation. This study describes the histological evolution of PyVAN and corresponding clinicopathological correlations. Although the pathological features overall reflect the viral and immunological interactions, the PyVAN course remains difficult to predict based on any single feature. Appropriate clinical management requires repeat biopsies and determination of the PyVCPS at relevant time points, for corresponding personalized immunosuppression adjustment.

Background. Donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) is a noninvasive plasma biomarker to evaluate for transplant allograft rejection. The relationship between infectious complications in kidney allografts and dd-cfDNA has received cursory attention in prior publications. Methods. Retrospective review of all renal transplant recipients who underwent dd-cfDNA testing between November 2017 and August 2019. Results. We report on 7 cases in whom infections affecting the transplanted kidney were associated with elevation in dd-cfDNA without concomitant rejection or elevation in serum creatinine. Five patients had BK viremia, and 2 patients had urinary tract infection associated with elevated dd-cfDNA levels. Conclusions. These observations suggest that elevations in dd-cfDNA are not specific to kidney allograft rejection and can be associated with infections affecting the transplanted kidney. This biomarker may be valuable in evaluating infectious complications of kidney allografts.

Background Kidney transplant recipients are at increased risk for adverse safety events related to their reduced renal function and many medications. Methods We determined the incidence of adverse safety events based on previously defined Agency for Healthcare and Research Quality (AHRQ) ICD-9 code-derived patient safety indicators (PSI) in the Folic Acid for Vascular Outcome Reduction in Transplant (FAVORIT) trial participants who had a hospitalization stratified by tertiles of estimated glomerular filtration rate. We also examined the frequency of Micromedex defined two precautionary drug-drug interactions, and two medications whose use may be contraindicated due to reduced GFR from the FAVORIT trial Medication Thesaurus at baseline, and annually among 4110 participants. Logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between patient safety events and baseline demographic and clinical variables at a participant level. Event rates were estimated at participant and visit levels. Results Of the 2514 patients with a hospitalization, 978 (38.9%) experienced an AHRQ PSI. Factors which were associated with more common AHRQ PSI included: US location, history of cardiovascular disease or diabetes, and lower tertile of estimated GFR. At a participant level, 2524 of the 4110 participants (61.4%) were taking a CNI and a statin, 378 (9.2%) were taking azathioprine and an ACE inhibitor, 171 (12.9%) were taking a sulfonylurea ), 45 (3.4%) were taking metformin despite a baseline GFR below 40 ml/min/1.73m2. Conclusions We conclude that patient safety events are not uncommon in kidney transplant recipients. Careful monitoring is necessary to prevent adverse outcomes.

The single-port approach has been associated with an unacceptably high rate of umbilical port hernias in large series of patients undergoing single-port cholecystectomy and colectomy and with additional surgical risks thought secondary to technical and ergonomic limitations. A retrospective review of 378 consecutive laparoendoscopic single-site(LESS) donor nephrectomies performed between 04/15/2009 and 04/09/2014 was conducted. Twelve patients (3%) developed an umbilical hernia. Eleven (92%) were female and eight (73%) of these patients had a prior pregnancy. Hernias were reported 13.5 ± 6.9 months after donation, and the mean size was 5.1 ± 3.7 cm. Seven additional cases (1.9%) required a return to the operating room for internal hernia (2), evisceration (1), bleeding (1), enterotomy (1), and wound infection (2). The original incision was utilized for reexploration. One patient required emergent conversion to an open procedure for bleeding during the initial donation. There were no mortalities. Recipient patient and graft survival were 99% and 99% at 1 year, respectively. Although reports associated with earlier experiences with single-site procedures suggested an unacceptably high rate of hernias at the surgical site, this does not seem to be the case at our center. This technique is a reliable surgical technique for left donor nephrectomy at this institution.