Characterisation of the novel HLA-B*18:37:03 allele, first identified in a Brazilian individual.

The novel HLA-B*18:37:03 allele, first described in a potential bone marrow donor from Brazil.

Paediatric donor lung preservation using Paragonix BAROguard.

Paediatric lung transplantation is a lifesaving option in selected patients with end-stage lung disease. Favourable long-term outcomes are limited by impaired mucus clearance, increased risk of infection resulting from immunosuppression, and chronic lung allograft dysfunction. Organ preservation techniques play an important role in the quality of donated organs. Barotrauma to donated lungs may arise from a combination of excessive recruitment manoeuvres and altitude change during air transportation. The Paragonix BAROguard Donor Lung Preservation System is an FDA-approved advanced organ recovery system that maintains continuous airway pressure of 15 cm of water during transportation of the donated lung(s) to the recipient. The Paragonix LUNGguard monitors temperature during transportation of donor lung(s), while the new BAROguard monitors both temperature and pressure during transportation of donor lung(s). In this publication, we present technical aspects of advanced preservation of paediatric donor lungs using the Paragonix BAROguard Donor Lung Preservation System.

A novel HLA-C*07 variant allele, HLA-C*07:01:01:141, identified by next-generation sequencing.

Characterisation of the novel HLA-C*07:01:01:141 allele in a 23-year-old Greek bone marrow donor.

Discovery of the novel HLA-B*35:611 allele, a variant of the HLA-B*35:64:01 allele.

Five nucleotide substitutions in exon 3 of HLA-B*35:64:01 results in the novel allele, HLA-B*35:611.

Liver Graft Machine Perfusion: From History Perspective to Modern Approaches in Transplant Surgery.

The shortage of donor organs remains an unresolved issue in livertransplantation worldwide. Consequently, strategies for expanding the donor pool are currently being developed. Donors meeting extended criteria undergo thorough evaluation, as livers obtained from marginal donors yield poorer outcomes in recipients, including exacerbated reperfusion injury, acute kidney injury, early graft dysfunction, and primary nonfunctioning graft. However, the implementation of machine perfusion has shown excellent potential in preserving donor livers and improving their characteristics to achieve better outcomes for recipients. In this review, we analyzed the global experience of using machine perfusion in livertransplantation through the history ofthe development ofthis method to the latest trends and possibilities for increasing the number of liver transplants.

Identification of the novel HLA-DQA1*03:79 allele in a candidate bone marrow donor by next generation sequencing.

A single nucleotide mismatch within exon 3 of HLA-DQA1 differentiates the novel allele DQA1*03:79 from DQA1*03:15.

Impact of donor expanded criteria kidney transplantation on clinical outcomes and survival: A single-center experience.

INTRODUCTION: The scarcity of suitable donor organs has led to the inclusion of Expanded Criteria Donor (ECD) kidneys to augment the donor pool, despite potential concerns regarding post-transplant outcomes. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed the clinical outcomes of a cohort of 317 kidney transplant recipients from deceased donors at a single center between 2008 and 2018. Patients were categorized into ECD and Standard Criteria Donor (SCD) groups, with primary nonfunctioning grafts excluded. Comprehensive laboratory evaluations were conducted, including HLA typing and serum creatinine levels. Immunosuppressive regimens were standardized, and statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS program. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 83 (26.18%) patients who received kidney transplants from ECDs and 234 (73.82%) from SCDs. The ECD group showed a longer cold ischemia time (p = 0.019) and a higher rate of delayed graft function (DGF) compared with the SCD group. No significant differences were observed in graft survival (p = 0.370) or patient survival (p = 0.993) between the ECD and SCD groups. However, differences in graft survival were noted between the groups when stratified by DGF status: ECD with DGF vs. ECD without DGF (p = 0.029), ECD with DGF vs. SCD with DGF (p = 0.188), ECD with DGF vs. SCD without DGF (p = 0.022), ECD without DGF vs. SCD with DGF (p = 0.014), ECD without DGF vs. SCD without DGF (p = 0.340), and SCD with DGF vs. SCD without DGF (p = 0.195). No differences in patient survival rates were observed among these groups for all pairwise comparisons (p > 0.05) when stratified by donor criteria and DGF status. CONCLUSIONS: Graft and patient survival rates were comparable between ECD and SCD kidney transplant recipients.

Benefits of Living Over Deceased Donor Kidney Transplantation in Elderly Recipients. A Propensity Score Matched Analysis of a Large European Registry Cohort.

Although kidney transplantation from living donors (LD) offers better long-term results than from deceased donors (DD), elderly recipients are less likely to receive LD transplants than younger ones. We analyzed renal transplant outcomes from LD versus DD in elderly recipients with a propensity-matched score. This retrospective, observational study included the first single kidney transplants in recipients aged ≥65 years from two European registry cohorts (2013-2020, n = 4,257). Recipients of LD (n = 408), brain death donors (BDD, n = 3,072), and controlled cardiocirculatory death donors (cDCD, n = 777) were matched for donor and recipient age, sex, dialysis time and recipient diabetes. Major graft and patient outcomes were investigated. Unmatched analyses showed that LD recipients were more likely to be transplanted preemptively and had shorter dialysis times than any DD type. The propensity score matched Cox's regression analysis between LD and BDD (387-pairs) and LD and cDCD (259-pairs) revealing a higher hazard ratio for graft failure with BDD (2.19 [95% CI: 1.16-4.15], p = 0.016) and cDCD (3.38 [95% CI: 1.79-6.39], p < 0.001). One-year eGFR was higher in LD transplants than in BDD and cDCD recipients. In elderly recipients, LD transplantation offers superior graft survival and renal function compared to BDD or cDCD. This strategy should be further promoted to improve transplant outcomes.

Machine Perfusion and Bioengineering Strategies in Transplantation-Beyond the Emerging Concepts.

Solid organ transplantation has progressed rapidly over the decades from the first experimental procedures to its role in the modern era as an established treatment for end-stage organ disease. Solid organ transplantation including liver, kidney, pancreas, heart, and lung transplantation, is the definitive option for many patients, but despite the advances that have been made, there are still significant challenges in meeting the demand for viable donor grafts. Furthermore, post-operatively, the recipient faces several hurdles, including poor early outcomes like primary graft dysfunction and acute and chronic forms of graft rejection. In an effort to address these issues, innovations in organ engineering and treatment have been developed. This review covers efforts made to expand the donor pool including bioengineering techniques and the use of ex vivo graft perfusion. It also covers modifications and treatments that have been trialed, in addition to research efforts in both abdominal organs and thoracic organs. Overall, this article discusses recent innovations in machine perfusion and organ bioengineering with the aim of improving and increasing the quality of donor organs.

Comparison of Kidney Graft Function and Survival in an Emulated Trial With Living Donors and Brain-Dead Donors.

Living donation (LD) transplantation is the preferred treatment for kidney failure as compared to donation after brain death (DBD), but age may play a role. We compared the 1-year estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) after kidney transplantation for recipients of LD and DBD stratified by recipient and donor age between 2015 and 2018 in a matched cohort. The strength of the association between donation type and 1-year eGFR differed by recipient age (P interaction < 0.0001). For LD recipients aged 40-54 years versus same-aged DBD recipients, the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for eGFR ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m2 was 1.48 (95% CI: 1.16-1.90). For DBD recipients aged ≥ 60 years, the aOR was 0.18 (95% CI: 0.12-0.29) versus DBD recipients aged 40-54 years but was 0.91 (95% CI: 0.67-1.24) versus LD recipients aged ≥60 years. In the matched cohort, 4-year graft and patient survival differed by donor age and type. As compared with DBD grafts, LD grafts increased the proportion of recipients with 1-year eGFR ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Recipients aged ≥60 years benefited most from LD transplantation, even if the donor was aged ≥60 years. For younger recipients, large age differences between donor and recipient could also be addressed with a paired exchange program.

Identification of the novel HLA-B*49:01:01:22 allele in an Indian renal transplant donor by next generation sequencing.

HLA-B*49:01:01:22 differs from HLA-B*49:01:01:01 by a single nucleotide C->G change in intron 5 at gDNA 2451.

Mechanical Preservation and Delayed Graft Function and Hospital Length of Stay as Deployed in the United States: Analysis of the Last Decade.

BACKGROUND Mechanical preservation (MP) of deceased donor kidney transplants showed a 30% to 50% reduction in delayed graft function (DGF) as defined by dialysis in the first week, when compared with cold storage. DGF is associated with longer hospital stays and increased costs. In this study, we sought to understand the impact of MP on rates of DGF and length of hospital stays in a contemporary cohort of deceased donor kidney transplants in the United States. MATERIAL AND METHODS All single deceased donor kidney transplants performed between January 1, 2010, and September 2, 2020, were identified in the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients database. Donor kidneys were considered pumped if the transplant center received the kidney on the pump. RESULTS Multivariate logistic regression showed that MP had similar odds of reduction of DGF for all subsets of donors. The unadjusted rate of DGF for pumped brain-dead standard criteria donor (BDSCD) recipients was similar to that of donors stored on ice. The rate of DGF for expanded criteria donors (ECD) and donors after cardiac death (DCD) was lower in the recipients who received MP. The similar DGF rates in BDSCD donor recipients were due to longer cold ischemia times in MP kidneys. The lower DGF rates seen in ECD and DCD recipients of pumped kidneys did not translate into a shortened length of hospitalization after transplant. CONCLUSIONS As currently deployed, only DCD and ECD donor recipients of MP kidneys experienced a lower DGF rate. In all subsets of patients, MP did not appreciably shorten the hospital length of stay.

Pediatric Organ Donation: 16-Year Experience of PICU/ICU of a Third Level Hospital in Portugal, 2006-2021.

Although pediatric organ donation represents a small proportion of overall organ donation, children and adolescents make a significant contribution to the pool of donated organs. In this study 252 solid organs were collected from children and adolescent. Two hundred and two recipients benefited from 62 pediatric organ donors, with a recipient/donor ratio of 3.3.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric organ donors represent a small but important portion of the deceased donor pool, helping both children and adults in the transplant waitlist. Despite this, pediatric donation remains an overlooked subject of research. METHODS: Retrospective, single­center, descriptive study. All brain death patients under 18 years old who were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) between January 1st, 2006, and December 31st, 2021, and who were eligible for organ donation were included. RESULTS: Between January 2006 and December 2021, 200 children/adolescent died in the ICU. From those, 62 patients (31%) were considered eligible for organ donation. The mean age of the donors at the time of death was 8.8 years. Sixty­three per cent were male. The most frequent cause of death was traumatic brain injury (n = 36). Two hundred and fifty organs were collected benefitting 202 persons with a recipient/donor ratio of 3.3. Kidneys were the most frequent organ donated (n = 116), followed by liver (n = 56) and heart (n = 34). The median number of organs donated per child was four, with a minimum of 1 organ and maximum of 8. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric organ donation represents a small proportion of overall organ donation, but children and adolescents have important impact on the lives they save. The field of pediatric organ donation needs more research to better understand the contribution of the pediatric population to both adults and children who wait for an organ.

Procurement Trends, Indications, and Outcomes of Heart-Lung Transplantation in the Contemporary Era.

BACKGROUND: Evolving trends in organ procurement and technological innovation prompted an investigation into recent trends, indications, and outcomes following combined heart-lung transplantation (HLTx). METHODS: The United Network for Organ Sharing database was queried for all adult (≥18 years) HLTx performed between July 1, 2013 and June 30, 2023. Patients with previous transplants were excluded. The primary endpoint was the effect of donor, recipient, and transplantation characteristics on 1- and 5-year survival. Secondary analyses included a comparison of HLTx at high- and low-volume centers, an assessment of HLTx following donation after circulatory death (DCD), and an evaluation of HLTx volume over time. Cox proportional-hazards models were used to assess factors associated with mortality. Temporal trends were evaluated with linear regression. RESULTS: After exclusions, 319 patients were analyzed, of whom 5 (1.6%) were DCD. HLTx volume increased from 2013 to 2023 (p < 0.001). One- and 5-year survival following HLTx was 84.0% and 59.5%, respectively. One-year survival was higher for patients undergoing HLTx at a high-volume center (88.3% vs. 77.9%; p = 0.012). After risk adjustment, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support 72 h posttransplant and predischarge dialysis were associated with increased 1-year mortality (HR = 3.19, 95% CI = 1.86-5.49 and HR = 3.47, 95% CI = 2.17-5.54, respectively) and 5-year mortality (HR = 2.901, 95% CI = 1.679-5.011 and HR = 3.327, 95% CI = 2.085-5.311, respectively), but HLTx at a high-volume center was not associated with either. CONCLUSIONS: HLTx volume has resurged, with DCD HLTx emerging as a viable procurement strategy. Factors associated with 1- and 5-year survival may be used to guide postoperative management following HLTx.

[The present and future of haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in China].

The lack of donors is the biggest obstacle to the widespread use of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The establishment and improvement of new transplantation schemes have made haploid hematopoietic stem cell transplantation a clinical routine, benefiting a large number of patients with hematological diseases. Haploid donors have become the most important source of donors for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in China. This article focuses on the current situation and future development trends of haploid hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in China, in order to increase the understanding of clinical doctors on haploid hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

The novel HLA-A*23:140 allele was identified in a Brazilian bone marrow volunteer donor.

The HLA-A*23:140 allele differs from HLA-A*23:01:01 by one nucleotide substitution (G > A), position 1968 in exon 5.

Effect of CMV Mismatch on Heart Transplant Outcomes Using a Surveillance and Preemptive Strategy.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to determine outcomes after heart transplantation for cytomegalovirus (CMV) mismatched patients (D+/R-) who underwent a surveillance and preemptive therapy protocol, compared to nonmismatch patients. METHODS: A review of patient records from January 2010 to December 2020 with follow-up to October 2023 was done. The protocol consisted weekly surveillance with CMV PCR starting 4 weeks after transplant continuing up until the patient seroconverts or up to 3 months posttransplant if the patient does not seroconvert. Valganciclovir was given for 2 weeks to those who seroconverted. RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty-one patients were included, and 23% were mismatched patients. Overall survival was not different between CMV groups (p = NS). Causes of death and morbidities were also not significantly different (p = NS). Sixty-six percent of mismatch patients seroconverted, and there was also a significantly older donor age in the seroconverted patients compared to nonseroconverted patients (41 ± 11 vs. 29 ± 12 years, p < 0.005), indicating a higher risk donor profile. A multivariate Cox regression including donor age showed that there was no increase in mortality in the seroconverted mismatches compared to nonmismatch patients (p = NS). CONCLUSIONS: There is no significant increased mortality or morbidity using a CMV surveillance and preemptive therapy protocol. The effect of donor age on seroconversion of mismatches requires further validation.

Small Donors, Big Impact: Optimizing Organ Utilization in Simultaneous Pancreas and Kidney Transplantation From Extra Small Pediatric Donors.

INTRODUCTION: Simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (SPK) is the preferred treatment for individuals with type-1 diabetes and end-stage renal disease. However, a limited supply of "Ideal Pancreas Donors" contributed to a growing disparity between available organs and recipients. Even though SPK outcomes from pediatric donors match those from adult donors, unclear guidelines on minimum age and weight criteria for extra small pediatric pancreas donors lead to hesitancy among several transplant centers to utilize these grafts due to concerns about inadequate islet mass, technical challenges, and increased risk of allograft thrombosis. METHODS: This report details the successful outcomes of SPK transplantations performed at the study center between December 2021 and January 2024, using four extra small pediatric brain-dead donors (ESPDs). Each donor was aged ≤5 years and weighed <20 kg. RESULTS: All SPK recipients achieved immediate posttransplant euglycemia without requiring insulin. None of the recipients experienced graft pancreatitis, graft thrombosis, allograft rejection, or required re-exploration. During a 5-27-month follow-up period, all ESPD recipients maintained optimal graft function, as evidenced by normal glucose tolerance tests and HbA1c (4.9%-5.2%), with 100% graft and patient survival. CONCLUSION: This report examines the usage of ESPDs in SPK transplantation, highlighting their potential to expand the donor pool and reduce wait times in areas with scarce deceased organ donations, thereby increasing the number of available organs for transplantation with acceptable outcomes. Revising donor selection guidelines to reflect the diverse risk-benefit profiles of waitlisted individuals is crucial to addressing geographical disparities and reducing organ discard rates.

Risk and Reward: Nationwide Analysis of Cardiac Transplant Center Variation in Organ Travel Distance and the Effects on Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The 2018 UNOS allocation policy change deprioritized geographic boundaries to organ distribution, and the effects of this change have been widespread. The aim of this investigation was to analyze changes in donor transplant center distance for organ travel and corresponding outcomes before and after the allocation policy change. METHODS: The UNOS database was utilized to identify all adult patients waitlisted for heart transplants from 2016 to 2021. Transplant centers were grouped by average donor heart travel distance based on whether they received more or less than 50% of organs from >250 miles away. Descriptive statistics were provided for waitlisted and transplanted patients. Regression analyses modeled waitlist mortality, incidence of transplant, overall survival, and graft survival. RESULTS: Centers with a longer average travel distance had a higher mean annual transplant volume with a reduction in total days on a waitlist (86.6 vs. 149.2 days), an increased cold ischemic time (3.6 vs. 3.2 h), with no significant difference in post-transplant overall survival or graft survival. CONCLUSIONS: The benefits of reducing waitlist time while preserving post-transplant outcomes extend broadly. The trends observed in this investigation will be useful as we revise organ transplant policy in the era of new organ procurement and preservation techniques.

Effects of donors' and recipients' preoperative serum sodium on the prognosis of liver transplantation.

Dysnatremia is common in donors and recipients of liver transplantation (LT). However, the influence of dysnatremia on LT prognosis remains controversial. This study aimed to investigate effects of donors' and recipients' serum sodium on LT prognosis. We retrospectively reviewed 248 recipients who underwent orthotopic LT at our center between January 2016 and December 2018. Donors and recipients perioperative and 3-year postoperative clinical data were included. Delta serum sodium was defined as the donors' serum sodium minus the paired recipients' serum sodium. Donors with serum sodium > 145 mmol/L had significantly higher preoperative blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (P < 0.01) and creatinine (Cr) (P < 0.01) than others. Preoperative total bilirubin (TBIL) (P < 0.01), direct bilirubin (DBIL) (P < 0.01), BUN (P < 0.01), Cr (P < 0.01) were significantly higher in the hyponatremia group of recipients than the other groups, but both of donors' and recipients' serum sodium had no effect on the LT prognosis. In the delta serum sodium < 0 mmol/L group, TBIL (P < 0.01) and DBIL (P < 0.01) were significantly higher in postoperative 1 week than the other groups, but delta serum sodium had no effect on the postoperative survival rates. Dysnatremia in donors and recipients of LT have no effect on postoperative survival rates, hepatic and renal function, but recipients with higher serum sodium than donors have significantly higher TBIL and DBIL at 1 week postoperatively.