Relationship between 2nd-generation angiotensin receptor blockers and the risk of hypotension in COVID-19 patients admitted to hospital.

It has not yet been established whether angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB), statins, and multiple drugs affect the severity of COVID-19. Therefore, we herein performed an observational study on the effects of 1st- and 2nd-generation ARB, statins, and multiple drugs, on COVID-19 in patients admitted to 15 Japanese medical facilities. The results obtained showed that ARB, statins, and multiple drugs were not associated with the primary outcome (odds ratio: 1.040, 95% confidence interval: 0.688-0.571; 0.696, 0.439-1.103; 1.056, 0.941-1.185, respectively), each component of the primary outcome (in-hospital death, ventilator support, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support, and admission to the intensive care unit), or the secondary outcomes (oxygen administration, disturbed consciousness, and hypotension, defined as systolic blood pressure ≤90 mmHg). ARB were divided into 1st- and 2nd-generations based on their approval for use (before 2000 and after 2001), with the former consisting of losartan, candesartan, and valsartan, and the latter of telmisartan, olmesartan, irbesartan, and azilsartan. The difference of ARB generation was not associated with the primary outcome (odds ratio with 2nd-generation ARB relative to 1st-generation ARB: 1.257, 95% confidence interval: 0.613-2.574). The odd ratio for a hypotension as one of the secondary outcomes with 2nd-generation ARB was 1.754 (95% confidence interval: 1.745-1.763) relative to 1st-generation ARB. These results suggest that patients taking 2nd-generation ARB may be at a higher risk of hypotension than those taking 1st-generation ARB and also that careful observations are needed. Further studies are continuously needed to support decisions to adjust medications for co-morbidities.

Hyperpolypharmacy and Frailty in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

BACKGROUND: Kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) take multiple medications including immunosuppressants every day. Although polypharmacy is associated with frailty, the situation remains unknown in KTRs. The aim of the present study is to investigate the association between hyperpolypharmacy and frailty in KTRs. METHODS: This study was a single-center, cross-sectional investigation carried out on KTRs between August 2018 and February 2019 at Osaka City University Hospital. Frailty was evaluated using the Kihon Checklist (KCL). The number of medications was determined from the regular medicines the participants took by mouth every day. Hyperpolypharmacy was defined as 10 or more medications. Statistical analyses were performed using multivariable logistic regression analyses and multivariable linear regression analyses. RESULTS: Of 211 KTRs enrolled in this study, the mean (SD) number of medicines taken orally regularly was 9.4 (3.4), and hyperpolypharmacy participants accounted for 41%. Hyperpolypharmacy was associated with both the total KCL score (odds ratio, 1.13; P = .016) and being frail compared with being robust (odds ratio, 5.70; P = .007) after adjustments for age, sex, and body mass index. The number of medications was associated with both the total KCL score (ß = 0.20; P < .001) and being frail compared with being robust (ß = 2.51; P < .001) after adjustments for age, sex, body mass index, dialysis vintage, time after transplant, serum albumin, and estimated glomerular filtration rate. The optimal cutoff value for the number of medications to detect frailty was 12 (area under the curve, 0.81). CONCLUSIONS: In KTRs, hyperpolypharmacy was prevalent and was associated with frailty.

The Change in Muscle Mass Among Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Recovery of renal function after transplantation leads to improved uremic conditions, increased physical activity, and liberation from severe dietary restrictions. Consequently, the muscle mass of kidney transplant recipients increases for several years after their transplant. However, the change in muscle mass and its associated factors among these patients remain largely unknown. Herein, we carried out a prospective cohort study with 1-year follow-up to investigate how muscle mass changes and to identify its risk factors among kidney transplant recipients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a single-center, 1-year, prospective, observational cohort study from August 2017 to February 2019 at Osaka City University Hospital in Japan. The skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis. The risk factors related to the change in muscle mass were analyzed using multivariate linear regression models of age, sex, body mass index (BMI), dialysis vintage, transplant vintage, diabetes mellitus, hemoglobin, C-reactive protein, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and SMI at baseline. RESULTS: A total of 180 kidney transplant recipients were enrolled in the present study. The median age was 55 years, and the median transplant vintage was 78 months. The median rate of change in SMI was +2.07%, and SMI increased in 118 (66%) patients during the 1-year follow-up. By multivariate analysis, the change in SMI at 1-year follow-up was independently associated with age (P = 0.017) and BMI (P = .023). CONCLUSIONS: SMI increased in most of the kidney transplant recipients, and age and BMI might be the risk factors for this change in muscle mass among these patients.

Splenectomy for ABO-Incompatible Kidney Transplantation and Very Late-Onset Cytomegalovirus Disease.

INTRODUCTION: Splenectomy had been previously performed in ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation to reduce the B cell pool. However, studies have shown that patients undergoing splenectomy may have a lifelong susceptibility to infection and mortality. Splenectomy may affect the incidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease even at a very late stage after transplantation in ABO-incompatible recipients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seven patients received their graft from an ABO-incompatible living donor at our institution and underwent splenectomy for B cell reduction. Among them, 3 recipients experienced very late-onset CMV disease approximately 10 years after their transplant and were enrolled in this study. RESULTS: Very late-onset CMV disease occurred at 9 years and 9 months, 15 years, and 13 years and 5 months after transplantation, respectively. Two recipients suffered from CMV retinitis, while one experienced colitis. The age of the patients at onset of CMV disease was 69 years, 42 years, and 71 years, respectively. CONCLUSION: This may be the first report on very late-onset CMV disease after splenectomy in ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation. We should be aware that these recipients can experience very late-onset CMV disease even approximately 10 years after their transplant.

Conversion From Cyclosporine to Once-Daily Tacrolimus on 50:1 mg Basis: A Short-Term Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVES: In addition to graft dysfunction, renal transplant recipients on cyclosporine may be switched to tacrolimus to reduce its drug-related secondary clinical effects and undesirable cosmetic side effects. However, the dose level of once-daily tacrolimus for these patients has yet to be established. The objective of this prospective study was to confirm the safety of converting stable renal transplant recipients on cyclosporine to once-daily tacrolimus at a 50:1 mg ratio. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study enrolled 17 patients receiving cyclosporine who were observed for 3 months. Graft biopsies did not reveal any acute rejection, and the conversion ratio to once-daily tacrolimus was 50:1 mg. Dose adjustments were made to achieve a target tacrolimus trough concentration of 3 to 5 ng/mL at 2 weeks, and graft biopsies were taken after the 3-month observation period. RESULTS: Dose adjustment was required in 7 recipients (41.2%) within 3 months of conversion. None of the recipients had acute cellular rejection or C4d deposition, and the mean estimated glomerular filtration rate of 38.7 ± 11.0 mL/min/1.73 m2 at baseline was significantly improved to 42.0 ± 10.0 mL/min/1.73 m2 at month 3. CONCLUSIONS: Although recipients of renal transplant can be forced to discontinue cyclosporine administration due to undesirable adverse effects, our study showed that a once-daily dose of tacrolimus may be safe when administered at a conversion ratio of 50:1.

Successful pregnancy after in vitro fertilization in an ABO-incompatible kidney transplant recipient receiving rituximab: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Successful pregnancy outcomes after in vitro fertilization in kidney transplant recipients have been reported, but few cases of successful pregnancy after ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation have been described. Herein, we report on a successful pregnancy after in vitro fertilization in an ABO-incompatible kidney transplant recipient with rituximab, focusing on the changes in immunity. CASE PRESENTATION: A 35-year-old woman with end-stage kidney disease caused by IgA nephropathy was referred for kidney transplantation and successfully underwent an ABO-incompatible living-donor kidney transplant using rituximab from her 66-year-old father at the age of 36. Because she and her husband desired childbearing, they received fertility treatments, and embryo cryopreservation was performed before transplantation. Two years after the transplant, she desired pregnancy. Although immunoglobulin levels such as IgG, IgA and IgM had recovered to almost normal range, the peripheral CD19+ cells and CD20+ cells remained depleted. At 6 months after conversion from mycophenolate mofetil to azathioprine, frozen embryo transfer was performed during the hormone replacement cycle. At 37 weeks and 4 days gestation, a healthy baby girl weighing 2220 g was delivered by cesarean section for arrest of labor. There were no complications in both the recipient and her baby during the perinatal period. At 5 years after the transplant, the recipient has had no major complications including rejection or infection. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible for women receiving ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation with rituximab to successfully become pregnant and deliver a heathy baby after in vitro fertilization, if IgG levels recover to normal range despite depleted peripheral blood B cells.

Pilot Experience with ABO-Incompatible Kidney Transplantation as a Second Transplant.

BACKGROUND: Despite advances in immunosuppressant medications, improvement in long-term survival for kidney transplant recipients has been more difficult to achieve. In fact, the number of patients with failing grafts who must either return to dialysis or undergo a second transplant is increasing. Second transplantation is associated with reduced mortality rates compared to remaining on dialysis after an initial graft loss. Nowadays, excellent ABO-incompatible kidney transplant outcomes have been achieved. However, there have been no reports on ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation as a second transplant. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three patients who received their graft from an ABO-incompatible living donor at our institution as a second transplant were enrolled in this study. We focused on immunosuppressive therapy for second ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation, donor-specific antibody status before the second transplant, patient and graft survivals, and complications. RESULTS: All 3 patients successfully underwent ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation as a second transplant with a follow-up period of 141, 39, and 24 months. Patient and graft survival rates were 100%. CONCLUSIONS: ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation may be an acceptable treatment for patients who need a second renal replacement therapy after their initial graft failure.

Clinical Outcomes of ABO-Incompatible Kidney Transplantation in Patients with End-Stage Kidney Disease due to Diabetes Nephropathy.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes nephropathy is one of the most common causes of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) worldwide. The data are clear that kidney transplantation is superior to remaining on dialysis for patients with diabetes. However, there have been no reports on ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation in patients with ESKD due to diabetes nephropathy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, observational study to investigate the clinical outcomes of ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation for patients with pre-existing diabetes nephropathy at our institution from April 2011 to October 2017. A total of 14 recipients were enrolled in this study. RESULTS: All 14 patients underwent successful kidney transplantation. Both overall patient and graft survival rates were 100, 89.9, and 89.9% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. One patient died 20 months after transplantation with a functioning graft due to pancreas cancer. Two of the 14 patients (14.3%) developed biopsy-proven acute cellular rejection during the follow-up period. The median observation period was 32.0 months (range 5-83 months). CONCLUSION: ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation may be an acceptable renal replacement therapy for ESKD patients with diabetes.

Passenger Lymphocyte Syndrome in the ABO-Incompatible Kidney Transplant Recipient Receiving Rituximab.

Passenger lymphocyte syndrome is a rare but important disease in which the donor lymphocytes produce antibodies to the red blood cell antigens of the recipient, causing alloimmune hemolysis. It occurs in ABO blood group-mismatched solid-organ and/or bone marrow transplant. We report a case of passenger lymphocyte syndrome occurring after ABO-incompatible kidney transplant. The recipient received rituximab as a desensitization protocol. On posttransplant day 18, the recipient showed a fall in her hemoglobin levels without identifiable bleeding source and an elevation of total bilirubin. Although hemolytic anemia was suspected, schizocytes on the peripheral smear were not observed. Anti-B-type antibodies were detected, and a diagnosis of passenger lymphocyte syndrome was confirmed. The patient was successfully treated with steroid pulse therapy, an increase of mycophenolate mofetil to 2 g/day, and conversion from cyclosporine to tacrolimus. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of passenger lymphocyte syndrome in an ABO-incompatible kidney recipients receiving rituximab.

Pilot Conversion Study From Mycophenolate Mofetil to Everolimus in Stable ABO-Incompatible Kidney Transplant Recipients: Analysis of 1-Year Follow-Up Data.

OBJECTIVES: Here, we report our 1-year follow-up data of stable ABO-incompatible kidney transplant recipients who converted from mycophenolate mofetil plus a standard dose of a calcineurin inhibitor to everolimus plus low exposure to calcineurin inhibitors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study included 17 recipients of ABO-incompatible kidney transplant procedures performed at our institution. At baseline and at 3 and 12 months after conversion, graft biopsies were performed to check for acute rejection and C4d deposition. RESULTS: Treatment with everolimus was stopped due to adverse events in 8 patients (47.1%). Conversion to everolimus with calcineurin inhibitor minimization did not induce acute rejection or C4d deposition at 3 and 12 months after conversion in ABO-incompatible kidney transplant recipients in whom everolimus was maintained or stopped within 1 year after conversion. CONCLUSIONS: Everolimus elicited no acute rejection and no C4d deposition, whether everolimus was maintained or stopped within 1 year after conversion, in ABO-incompatible kidney transplant recipients.

Successful Kidney Transplantation in a Patient with Unipapillary Kidney.

A unipapillary kidney is a very rare anomaly in humans. In this paper, we report on a case of a 47-year-old woman with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) due to unipapillary kidney, who had been on hemodialysis for 20 years and who had successfully received deceased-donor kidney transplantation. The aim of this report is to present a case of a rare unipapillary kidney patient who underwent kidney transplantation without any urological complications. Our results suggest that kidney transplantation may be an effective renal replacement therapy for patients with ESKD due to unipapillary kidney.

Isolated V-Lesion in an ABO-Incompatible Kidney Transplant Recipient Receiving Rituximab.

We report an ABO-incompatible kidney transplant performed on a 69-year-old female patient, whose donor was her 69-year-old husband. The patient received an immunosuppressive protocol using rituximab without splenectomy. Renal biopsy was done on posttransplant day 8 due to poor early graft function, and an isolated v-lesion was found, which responded to steroid pulse therapy and gusperimus hydrochloride administration. Our results indicate that isolated v-lesions can occur in ABO-incompatible kidney transplant recipients receiving rituximab and that this finding should be treated as acute rejection. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an isolated v-lesion in an ABO-incompatible kidney transplant recipient who had been administered rituximab.

Favorable Outcomes of Elderly ABO-Incompatible Kidney Transplantation-Pilot Single Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: The growth in the end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) population has been predominantly in the older adult population. In Japan, ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation has become an acceptable treatment option. However, few studies have been conducted on elderly ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventeen patients aged 60 years and older who received their grafts from ABO-incompatible living donors at our institution between December 2006 and September 2016 were enrolled in this study, and the outcome of these recipients was evaluated. RESULTS: All 17 patients underwent successful kidney transplantation. Both overall patient and graft survival rates were 100, 100, and 83.3% at posttransplant 1, 3, and 5 years respectively. Six of the 17 patients (35.3%) had an episode of biopsy-proven acute cellular rejection. Two patients who developed steroid- and deoxyspergualin-resistant acute rejection required anti-human thymocyte immunoglobulin. CONCLUSION: ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation may be an effective radical renal replacement therapy for elderly patients with ESKD, although it could be a high-risk procedure.

Effect of Age on Conversion to Everolimus with Calcineurin Inhibitor Minimization at A Late Post-Transplant Stage.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the risk factors for everolimus discontinuation in kidney transplant recipients converted to everolimus with calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) minimization at a late post-transplant stage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational retrospective cohort study was conducted on a total of 38 recipients of kidney transplantation at our institution from June 2012 to March 2015 who were converted from antimetabolites to everolimus at a late post-transplant stage and followed for 1 year. We divided the patients into two groups to evaluate the factors affecting everolimus discontinuation after conversion: everolimus continuation group (n = 23), patients in whom everolimus maintained, and everolimus discontinuation group (n = 15), patients in whom everolimus were stopped within 1 year after conversion. RESULTS: Age at conversion was significantly older in the everolimus discontinuation group compared to the everolimus continuation group (57.9 ± 12.0 years in the everolimus discontinuation group vs 45.7 ± 11.2 years in the everolimus continuous group; P = .0062). Multivariate cox proportional hazard regression analysis revealed that age at conversion significantly correlated with everolimus discontinuation (P = .012). Receiver operating characteristic curve of age at conversion showed that the cut-off value was 55 years old for the everolimus discontinuation group [area under curve 0.804, 95% confidence interval (0.654-0.954), sensitivity 86.7%, specificity 65.2%]. CONCLUSION: Our results indicated that late conversion to everolimus with CNI minimization in elderly recipients older than 55 years of age may be associated with more frequent adverse events and discontinuations.

ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation as a renal replacement therapy-A single low-volume center experience in Japan.

INTRODUCTION: Living donor kidney transplantation is preferable to deceased donor transplantation due to its superior long-term patient and graft survivals. However, ABO blood group incompatibility is a major barrier to living donor kidney transplantation. ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation has been performed in Japan since the late 1980's, but it is still globally uncommon. The objective of this study is to compare the clinical outcomes of ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation (ABO-IKT) with that of ABO-compatible kidney transplantation (ABO-CKT) at an institution where only about two kidney transplants are performed a month on average. DESIGN: A single center propensity score-matched cohort study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively collected and analyzed the data of 240 patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) who underwent living donor kidney transplantation at Osaka City University Hospital from January 1999 to December 2016, of which 66 patients were ABO-IKT. The remaining 174 patients who underwent ABO-CKT were studied as the control group, and the clinical outcomes of ABO-IKT and ABO-CKT recipients were compared based on propensity score matching. RESULTS: After propensity score matching, there were no significant differences in both patient survival and death-censored graft survival rates between the ABO-IKT and ABO-CKT groups. Moreover, there were no significant differences in estimated glomerular filtration rate as well as frequency of acute cellular rejection, antibody-mediated rejection, infectious adverse events, malignancies, and post-operative bleeding between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Currently, ABO-IKT may be an acceptable treatment for patients with ESKD even at a low-volume transplant center.

Acute Cellular Rejection in ABO-Incompatible Renal Transplant Recipients Receiving Rituximab Is Associated with Delayed-Onset Neutropenia.

BACKGROUND Rituximab induces long-lasting B cell depletion in the peripheral blood and increases the levels of proinflammatory cytokines associated with regulatory B cell depletion. Previous reports showed that B cell-related cytokine release after administration of rituximab may induce acute cellular rejection (ACR) and delayed-onset neutropenia. The present study was conducted to investigate the correlation between acute rejection and delayed-onset neutropenia in ABO-incompatible renal transplant recipients who underwent administration of rituximab for 1 year after transplantation. MATERIAL AND METHODS From June 2006 to July 2015, 47 patients with chronic renal failure received ABO-incompatible renal transplant with rituximab induction at Osaka City University Hospital. All 47 patients underwent plasmapheresis due to removal of anti-A/B antibodies and administration of rituximab, and their transplants were carried out successfully. We investigated the correlation between ACR and delayed-onset neutropenia in ABO-incompatible renal transplant recipients who underwent administration of rituximab for 1 year after transplantation. RESULTS Fourteen patients (29.8%) experienced ACR (group A), and 33 recipients did not develop ACR (group B). The frequency of delayed-onset neutropenia was higher in group A than in group B (p=0.0503). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the frequency of ACR correlated significantly with the prevalence of delayed-onset neutropenia. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicated that ACR in ABO-incompatible renal transplant recipients receiving rituximab was associated with delayed-onset neutropenia.

ABO-Incompatible Living Kidney Transplant Recipients from Spousal Donors Receiving Rituximab.

INTRODUCTION: We summarized our experience with ABO-incompatible living kidney transplant recipients from spousal donors receiving rituximab. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between June 2006 and December 2014, 82 patients with end-stage renal disease underwent living donor kidney transplantation at Osaka City University Hospital, of which 23 cases were ABO-incompatible transplantation between spouses with rituximab induction. We analyzed these recipients, focusing on their immunosuppressive protocols, frequency of acute rejections, and patient/graft survivals. RESULTS: Patient and graft survival rates were 100%. The incidence of acute cellular rejection (ACR) was 30.4%. One patient experienced antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) and intractable ACR, 2 had AMR, and 2 had intractable ACR episodes that were treated using thymoglobulin. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation between spouses using rituximab is a radical but effective treatment for end-stage renal disease. However, this procedure could be immunologically high risk due to ABO-incompatibility and poor histocompatibility.

Clinical Outcome of Elderly Kidney Transplant Recipients from Spousal Donors.

INTRODUCTION: Patients aged 60 years and older stand for the fastest growing group of patients with end-stage renal disease worldwide, and the need for kidney transplants among this population is rising. In Japan, living donor kidney transplantation is mainly performed to deal with the severe shortage of deceased donors, and the number of spousal transplants is currently increasing. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 164 patients with ESRD underwent living donor kidney transplantation at our institution, of whom 21 patients aged 60 years and older had spousal kidney transplantation. ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation was performed in 5 of the 21 cases. We analyzed these recipients. RESULTS: Patient and graft survival rates were 100%. The incidence of acute rejection was 23.8%. Eight patients experienced cytomegalovirus viremia, two patients experienced Pneumocystis jiroveci infection, and one experienced bacterial pneumonia. Two patients developed cancers and underwent curative operation after transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly kidney transplantation from spousal donors is associated with age-related immune dysfunction, which may develop infections and malignancies and could be immunologically high risk due to the high rate of ABO-incompatibility and poor histocompatibility. An effort to minimize the adverse effect of immunosuppression and to reduce the risk of acute rejection may be needed for an excellent long-term outcome.

Late-onset neutropenia and acute rejection in ABO-incompatible kidney transplant recipients receiving rituximab and mycophenolate mofetil.

INTRODUCTION: Using rituximab, we have performed successful ABO-incompatible kidney transplantations in recipients without splenectomy as well as in those with high pretransplant anti-A/B antibody titers. A common and increasingly recognized toxicity of rituximab is late-onset neutropenia (LON), defined as unexplained grades III to IV neutropenia occurring at least 4weeks after the last dose of rituximab in the absence of an alternative explanation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between May 2006 and December 2011, 25 patients who received rituximab underwent successful ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation and were enrolled as the subjects in this study. The incidence rate and clinical features of LON as well as the relationship between LON and acute rejection in these patients were studied. RESULTS: Twelve recipients (48%) experienced LON 2 to 12months after transplantation. Five of the 12 patients (41.6%) who developed LON had an episode of biopsy-confirmed acute cellular rejection, as compared with one of the 13 patients (7.7%) who did not develop LON. Moreover, 3 patients who experienced LON developed steroid and deoxyspergualin-resistant acute cellular rejection requiring OKT-3 administration. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of acute cellular rejection was higher in ABO-incompatible kidney transplant recipients with LON than in those without LON. Our findings suggested that these recipients who developed LON after rituximab administration may be at an increased risk for acute cellular rejection.

Conversion of stable ABO-incompatible kidney transplant recipients from mycophenolate mofetil with standard exposure calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) to everolimus with very low exposure CNIs-a short-term pilot study.

BACKGROUND: A recent report has demonstrated that as with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), everolimus is capable of inhibiting human B-lymphocyte function and activation including B-lymphocyte proliferation, apoptosis, and immunoglobulin production in vitro. Everolimus may therefore be used as an immunosuppressant in ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation. METHODS: A three-month pilot study was performed to examine the efficacy and safety of conversion of stable ABO-incompatible kidney transplant recipients from MMF with standard exposure calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) to everolimus with very low exposure CNIs. Sixteen recipients were enrolled in the study. The patients without acute rejection by graft biopsy were switched from MMF to everolimus with CNI minimization. At three months after conversion, graft biopsies were performed to check for acute rejection and C4d deposition. RESULTS: Conversion to everolimus with CNI minimization for three months did not induce acute rejection and C4d deposition in all of the ABO-incompatible kidney transplant recipients. A slight elevation of anti-A/B antibody titer occurred in our present study. Everolimus was associated with hyperlipidemia and edema. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrated that short-term conversion from MMF to everolimus after one yr post-transplant may be a safe and effective alternate for ABO-incompatible kidney transplant recipients requiring temporary discontinuation of MMF.