Renal Transplantation Generally Successful in HIV-Infected Patients

HIV-infected patients had more episodes of graft rejection than other transplant recipients, but graft survival and patient survival rates were both in the usual range.

For decades, HIV infection was considered an absolute contraindication to organ transplantation, but not any longer: Many case reports have suggested that transplantation is feasible, and now a large prospective study confirms that kidney transplantation should be successful in most HIV-infected patients, despite some challenges unique to this population.

Between late 2003 and mid-2009, 150 HIV-infected patients underwent kidney transplantation at 19 U.S. centers, with most receiving a cadaveric kidney. All the patients were virologically suppressed on stable combination antiretroviral therapy, with a median CD4 count of 524 cells/mm³. About 25% had a history of AIDS-defining illness. Renal failure was ascribed to HIV-associated nephropathy …

Reviewing Author

Abigail Zuger, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Abigail Zuger, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Renal Transplantation Generally Successful in HIV-Infected Patients

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Reviewing Author