Cell Population Data of Peripheral Leukocytes are Associated with Acute Rejection Episodes After Kidney Transplantation.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to explore the association of peripheral leukocyte cell population data (CPD) with acute rejection episodes (ARE) after kidney transplantation surgery and search for potential parameters which contribute to the assessment of the occurrence of ARE. METHODS: A total of 68 patients with kidney transplants were classified into two groups according to the occurrence of ARE or not within three months after transplantation surgery (32 in ARE and 36 in non-ARE group). Hematological parameters including leukocyte CPD and serum biochemical indicators of renal function during occurrence of ARE were collected. The differences of CPD between the two groups and the association of CPD with occurrence of ARE were analyzed by SPSS software. RESULTS: Between ARE and non-ARE group, CPD parameters showed significant differences involving neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes (Ne-V-sd, Ne-UMS-sd, Ly-V, Ly-MS, Ly-UMS, Ly-LS, and Mo-UMS). Ne-UMS-sd and Ly-UMS made the strongest contribution in discrimination of ARE occurrence. Ly-UMS had the largest area under the ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curve (AUC = 0.756). Meanwhile, the AUC of Ne-UMS-sd combined with Ly-UMS reached 0.823. In the ARE group, Ne-UMS-sd and Ly-UMS were inversely and linearly associated with eGFR (r = -0.527, p = 0.002; r = -0.436, p = 0.013, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Ne-UMS-sd and Ly-UMS may be useful for the diagnosis of acute rejection episodes after kidney transplantation.