Global perspectives on donor-derived infections: Brazil and Argentina.

Brazil and Argentina are two of the South American countries that perform the highest number of solid organ transplant procedures globally each year. These procedures are not exempt from risks for the recipient, and there is a risk of donor-derived infections. Risk mitigation measures for disease transmission from donor to recipient are essential, and biovigilance systems play a crucial role to inform authorities and provide data for the definition of screening procedures and prevention of donor-derived infections. We herein describe the biovigilance systems in Brazil and Argentina and provide some data regarding potential and effective donors.

Survey on the approach to antibiotic prophylaxis in liver and kidney transplant recipients colonized with "difficult to treat" Gram-negative bacteria.

BACKGROUND: Performance of active screening for multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (MDR-GNB) and administration of targeted antibiotic prophylaxis (TAP) in colonized patients undergoing liver (LT) and/or kidney transplantation (KT) are controversial issues. METHODS: Self-administered electronic cross-sectional survey disseminated from January to February 2022. Questionnaire consisted of four parts: hospital/transplant program characteristics, standard screening and antibiotic prophylaxis, clinical vignettes asking for TAP in patients undergoing LT and KT with prior infection/colonization with four different MDR-GNB (extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacterales [ESCR-E], carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales [CRE], multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa [MDR-Pa], and carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii [CRAb]). RESULTS: Fifty-five respondents participated from 14 countries, mostly infectious disease specialists (69%) with active transplant programs (>100 procedures/year for 34.5% KT and 23.6% LT), and heterogeneous local MDR-GNB prevalence from <15% (30.9%), 15%-30% (43.6%) to >30% (16.4%). The frequency of screening for ESCR-E, CRE, MDR-Pa, and CRAb was 22%, 54%, 17%, and 24% for LT, respectively, and 18%, 36%, 16%, and 11% for KT. Screening time-points were mainly at transplantation 100%, only one-third following transplantation. Screening was always based on rectal swab cultures (100%); multi-site sampling was reported in 40% of KT and 35% of LT. In LT clinical cases, 84%, 58%, 84%, and 40% of respondents reported TAP for prior infection/colonization with ESCR-E, CRE, MDR-Pa, and CRAb, respectively. In KT clinical cases, 55%, 39%, 87%, and 42% of respondents reported TAP use for prior infection/colonization with ESCR-E, CRE, MDR-Pa, and CRAb, respectively. CONCLUSION: There is a large heterogeneity in screening and management of MDR-GNB carriage in LT and KT.

QuantiFERON-CMV as a Predictor of CMV Events During Preemptive Therapy in CMV-seropositive Kidney Transplant Recipients.

BACKGROUND: Prevention of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection after kidney transplantation is costly and burdensome. METHODS: Given its promising utility in risk stratification, we evaluated the use of QuantiFERON-CMV (QFCMV) and additional clinical variables in this prospective cohort study to predict the first clinically significant CMV infection (CS-CMV, ranging from asymptomatic viremia requiring treatment to CMV disease) in the first posttransplant year. A cost-effectiveness analysis for guided prevention was done. RESULTS: One hundred adult kidney transplant recipients, CMV IgG + , were given basiliximab induction and maintained on steroid/mycophenolate/tacrolimus with weekly CMV monitoring. Thirty-nine patients developed CS-CMV infection (viral syndrome, n = 1; end-organ disease, n = 9; and asymptomatic viremia, n = 29). A nonreactive or indeterminate QFCMV result using the standard threshold around day 30 (but not before transplant) was associated with CS-CMV rates of 50% and 75%, respectively. A higher QFCMV threshold for reactivity (>1.0 IU interferon-γ/mL) outperformed the manufacturer's standard (>0.2 IU interferon-γ/mL) in predicting protection but still allowed a 16% incidence of CS-CMV. The combination of recipient age and type of donor, along with posttransplant QFCMV resulted in a prediction model that increased the negative predictive value from 84% (QFCMV alone) to 93%. QFCMV-guided preemptive therapy was of lower cost than preemptive therapy alone ( P < 0.001, probabilistic sensitivity analysis) and was cost-effective (incremental net monetary benefit of 210 USD) assuming willingness-to-pay of 2000 USD to avoid 1 CMV disease. CONCLUSIONS: Guided CMV prevention by the prediction model with QFCMV is cost-effective and would spare from CMV surveillance in 42% of patients with low risk for CS-CMV.

Strongyloides infection screening in transplant candidates: What is the best strategy?

BACKGROUND: The potential that Strongyloides stercoralis infection has to cause major morbidity and high mortality when the disseminated form occurs in transplant patients is of particular concern. METHODS: In this study, the objective was to observe S. stercoralis infection in patients who are candidates for transplantation by using parasitological, serological, and molecular techniques and to propose an algorithm for the detection of that infection in transplant candidates. RESULTS: By parasitological techniques, 10% of fecal samples were positive. Anti-Strongyloides antibodies immunoglobulin G were detected in 19.3% and 20.7% of patients by immunofluorescence assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. S. stercoralis DNA was observed in 17.3% of samples by conventional polymerase chain reaction and 32.7% of samples by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). CONCLUSION: The set of results allows us to reinforce that a positive result by parasitological techniques and/or qPCR indicates that the specific treatment should be applied. However, the improvement of diagnostic techniques may suggest changes in the screening for strongyloidiasis in these patients.

Efficacy of ceftazidime-avibactam in solid organ transplant recipients with bloodstream infections caused by carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae.

We aimed to compare the efficacy of ceftazidime-avibactam (CAZ-AVI) versus the best available therapy (BAT) in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients with bloodstream infection caused by carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (CPKP-BSI). A retrospective (2016-2021) observational cohort study was performed in 14 INCREMENT-SOT centers (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02852902; Impact of Specific Antimicrobials and MIC Values on the Outcome of Bloodstream Infections Due to ESBL- or Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales in Solid Organ Transplantation: an Observational Multinational Study). Outcomes were 14-day and 30-day clinical success (complete resolution of attributable manifestations, adequate source control, and negative follow-up blood cultures) and 30-day all-cause mortality. Multivariable logistic and Cox regression analyses adjusted for the propensity score to receive CAZ-AVI were constructed. Among 210 SOT recipients with CPKP-BSI, 149 received active primary therapy with CAZ-AVI (66/149) or BAT (83/149). Patients treated with CAZ-AVI had higher 14-day (80.7% vs 60.6%, P = .011) and 30-day (83.1% vs 60.6%, P = .004) clinical success and lower 30-day mortality (13.25% vs 27.3%, P = .053) than those receiving BAT. In the adjusted analysis, CAZ-AVI increased the probability of 14-day (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.65; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-6.84; P = .044) and 30-day clinical success (aOR, 3.14; 95% CI, 1.17-8.40; P = .023). In contrast, CAZ-AVI therapy was not independently associated with 30-day mortality. In the CAZ-AVI group, combination therapy was not associated with better outcomes. In conclusion, CAZ-AVI may be considered a first-line treatment in SOT recipients with CPKP-BSI.

Biovigilância e notificação de eventos adversos na doação e transplante de órgãos: revisão sistemática / Biovigilancia y notificación de eventos adversos en la donación y trasplante de órganos: revisión sistemática / Biosurveillance and reporting of adverse events in organ donation and transplantation: a systematic review

Resumo Objetivo Sintetizar e avaliar criticamente as evidências científicas oriundas de estudos observacionais sobre sistemas de biovigilância e notificação de eventos adversos na doação e transplante de órgãos. Métodos Revisão sistemática de estudos observacionais seguindo as recomendações das Diretrizes Metodológicas (REBRATS) e Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). Foram incluídos estudos primários e relatos de caso conduzidos sobre biovigilância e/ou eventos adversos na doação e/ou transplante de órgãos, sem restrição de data de publicação ou idioma. Foram utilizadas seis bases de dados eletrônicas para a realização das buscas na literatura científica: - Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE) (via PubMed), Excerpta Medica Database (Embase), Web of Science, LILACS, Scopus e a biblioteca eletrônica Scielo. Realizou-se também busca de dados nas seguintes bases secundárias: Notify - World Health Organization (WHO), Organização Pan-Americana de Saúde (OPAS) e Google Scholar. Para a avaliação da qualidade dos estudos foi utilizada a ferramenta MINORS. Resultados Foram identificados 551 estudos, após as etapas de avaliação, foram incluídos oito deles para a revisão sistemática. Estes foram divididos entre resultados, processos e estratégias de prevenção de eventos adversos. Quanto a classificação da qualidade dos estudos, dois obtiveram classificação boa. Conclusão Os resultados apontam a ocorrência de eventos adversos ocorridos em alguma etapa do processo de doação e transplante de órgãos e tecidos, como: reações adversas relacionadas a medicamentos; neurotoxicidade; aumento do tempo de hospitalização; reintervenções cirúrgicas; queda; coma; óbito; falha ou perda do enxerto. Destaca-se que os eventos adversos possivelmente ainda são subnotificados.

Resumen Objetivo Sintetizar y evaluar críticamente las evidencias científicas provenientes de estudios observacionales sobre sistemas de biovigilancia y notificación de eventos adversos en la donación y trasplante de órganos. Métodos Revisión sistemática de estudios observacionales guiada por las recomendaciones de las Directrices Metodológicas (REBRATS) y Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). Se incluyeron estudios primarios y relatos de caso realizados sobre biovigilancia o eventos adversos en la donación o trasplante de órganos, sin restricción de fecha de publicación o idioma. Se utilizaron seis bases de datos electrónicas para realizar las búsquedas en la literatura científica: Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE) (via PubMed), Excerpta Medica Database (Embase), Web of Science, LILACS, Scopus y la biblioteca electrónica Scielo. También se realizó la búsqueda de datos en las siguientes bases secundarias: Notify - World Health Organization (WHO), Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS) y Google Scholar. Para evaluar la calidad de los estudios se utilizó la herramienta MINORS. Resultados Se identificaron 551 estudios y, luego de las etapas de evaluación, se incluyeron ocho en la revisión sistemática, que fueron divididos entre resultados, procesos y estrategias de prevención de eventos adversos. Respecto a la clasificación de la calidad de los estudios, dos obtuvieron una clasificación buena. Conclusión Los resultados indican casos de eventos adversos ocurridos en alguna etapa del proceso de donación y trasplante de órganos y tejidos, como: reacciones adversas relacionadas con medicamentos, neurotoxicidad, aumento del tiempo de hospitalización, reintervenciones quirúrgicas, caída, coma, fallecimiento, falla o pérdida del injerto. Se destaca que los eventos adversos probablemente aún son subnotificados.

Abstract Objective To synthesize and critically evaluate the scientific evidence from observational studies on biosurveillance systems and adverse event reporting in organ donation and transplantation. Methods Systematic review of observational studies following the recommendations of the Methodological Guidelines (REBRATS) and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). Primary studies and case reports on biosurveillance and/or adverse events in organ donation and/or transplantation, without restriction of publication date or language were included. Six electronic databases were used in the scientific literature search: Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE) (via PubMed), Excerpta Medica Database (Embase), Web of Science, LILACS, Scopus and the electronic library Scielo. A data search was also performed in the following secondary databases: Notify - World Health Organization (WHO), Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and Google Scholar. The MINORS tool was used to assess the quality of studies. Results 551 studies were identified, and after the evaluation steps, eight of them were included in the systematic review. These were divided into results, processes and strategies for preventing adverse events. Regarding the classification of the quality of studies, two obtained a good classification. Conclusion The results indicate the occurrence of adverse events at some stage of the organ and tissue donation and transplantation process, such as: adverse drug-related reactions; neurotoxicity; longer length of hospital stay; surgical reinterventions; falls; coma; death; graft failure or loss. The fact that adverse events are possibly still underreported is noteworthy.

Clinical profile and mortality predictors for tuberculosis disease among patients with solid tumours.

BACKGROUND: The characteristics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTb) disease are still obscure in patients with solid tumours, as well as the benefits of screening and treating latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in these patients. Our objective was to trace the clinical profile of these individuals and assess the mortality predictors related to tuberculosis (TB). METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 126 patients with solid tumours malignancy and who developed TB disease between January 2009 and April 2018 at a cancer referral centre. RESULTS: The most common locations of malignancy were head and neck, with squamous cell carcinoma being the most frequent histological type, the majority (97/126) presenting locally invasive tumours (T3 or T4). A total of 120 had TB pulmonary and the microbiological diagnosis was performed in 103/126. The following variables were associated with the risk of death from TB: DPOC lung cancer, BMI, malnutrition, metastasis and ECOG 3 or 4. Previous chemotherapy treatment was a protective factor. CONCLUSIONS: Male, usage of alcohol and smoking were the most predominant patients characteristics in our sample. In the multivariate analysis, lung cancer, presence of metastasis and ECOG ≥ 3 were associated with death from TB.

An Open-label Randomized Controlled Parallel-group Pilot Study Comparing the Immunogenicity of a Standard-, Double-, and Booster-dose Regimens of the 2014 Seasonal Trivalent Inactivated Influenza Vaccine in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

BACKGROUND: Immunogenicity of influenza vaccine in transplant recipients is suboptimal and alternative vaccination regimens are necessary. METHODS: We compared the immunogenicity of a standard-dose trivalent inactivated influenza vaccination (SDTIIV), double-dose trivalent inactivated influenza vaccination (DDTIIV), and booster-dose trivalent inactivated influenza vaccination (BDTIIV) of the 2014 seasonal trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine in kidney transplant recipients. We randomized 176 participants to SDTIIV (59), DDTIIV (59), and BDTIIV regimens (58). Antibody titers were determined by hemagglutination inhibition at enrollment and 21 d postvaccination. Seroprotection rates (SPRs), seroconversion rates (SCRs), and geometric mean ratios (GMRs) were analyzed separately for participants with low (<1:40) and high (≥1:40) prevaccination antibody titers. RESULTS: Vaccination was confirmed for 172 participants. Immunogenicity analysis was done for 149 participants who provided postvaccination blood samples. In the subgroup with high prevaccination antibody titers, all vaccination regimens induced SPR > 70% to all antigens, but SCR and GMR were below the recommendations. In the subgroup with low prevaccination antibody titers, DDTIIV and BDTIIV regimens induced adequate SCR > 40% and GMR > 2.5 for all antigens, whereas SDTIIV achieved the same outcomes only for influenza B. SPRs were >70% only after DDTIIV (A/H1N1-77.8%) and BDTIIV (A/H3N2-77.8%). BDTIIV regimen independently increased seroprotection to A/H1N1 (PR = 2.58; P = 0.021) and A/H3N2 (PR = 2.21; P = 0.004), whereas DDTIIV independently increased seroprotection to A/H1N1 (PR = 2.59; P = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that DDTIIV and BDTIIV regimens are more immunogenic than SDTIIV, indicating the need for head-to-head multicenter clinical trials to further evaluate their efficacy.

Propensity Score and Desirability of Outcome Ranking Analysis of Ertapenem for Treatment of Nonsevere Bacteremic Urinary Tract Infections Due to Extended-Spectrum-Beta-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacterales in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

There are scarce data on the efficacy of ertapenem in the treatment of bacteremia due to extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-E) in kidney transplant (KT) recipients. We evaluated the association between treatment with ertapenem or meropenem and clinical cure in KT recipients with nonsevere bacteremic urinary tract infections (B-UTI) caused by ESBL-E. We performed a registered, retrospective, international (29 centers in 14 countries) cohort study (INCREMENT-SOT, NCT02852902). The association between targeted therapy with ertapenem versus meropenem and clinical cure at day 14 (the principal outcome) was studied by logistic regression. Propensity score matching and desirability of outcome ranking (DOOR) analyses were also performed. A total of 201 patients were included; only 1 patient (treated with meropenem) in the cohort died. Clinical cure at day 14 was reached in 45/100 (45%) and 51/101 (50.5%) of patients treated with ertapenem and meropenem, respectively (adjusted OR 1.29; 95% CI 0.51 to 3.22; P = 0.76); the propensity score-matched cohort included 55 pairs (adjusted OR for clinical cure at day 14, 1.18; 95% CI 0.43 to 3.29; P = 0.74). In this cohort, the proportion of cases treated with ertapenem with better DOOR than with meropenem was 49.7% (95% CI, 40.4 to 59.1%) when hospital stay was considered. It ranged from 59 to 67% in different scenarios of a modified (weights-based) DOOR sensitivity analysis when potential ecological advantage or cost was considered in addition to outcome. In conclusion, targeted therapy with ertapenem appears as effective as meropenem to treat nonsevere B-UTI due to ESBL-E in KT recipients and may have some advantages.

Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) for diagnostically challenging infectious diseases in patients with acute leukemia.

This report shows the contribution of next-generation metagenomic sequencing (mNGS) as an alternative to challenging diagnostic infection in immunosuppressed individuals. Herein, we report three acute leukemia patients who developed severe invasive infections due to different etiologies: fungi, viruses, and protozoa. mNGS improved the diagnosis of the infections and provided the opportunity for adequate therapy. The mNGS is a hypothesis-free diagnostic platform, increasing potential in challenging diseases in hematological patients due to the extended diagnostic panel and the expedite access to the result.

Awareness of Inadvertent Use of Yellow Fever Vaccine Among Recipients of Renal Transplant.

Yellow fever (YF) is a vaccine-preventable disease, but live attenuated YF vaccine (YFV) is contraindicated in immunosuppressed patients due to the risk of life-threatening YFV-associated side effects. This study aimed to evaluate 1. the knowledge of renal transplant recipients (RTRs) about the contraindication and risks of YFV; 2. the prevalence of inadvertent vaccination of RTRs against YF; and 3. the outcome of these patients. A cross-sectional telephone contact study was conducted with 200 RTRs selected from the outpatient clinic of our transplantation unit. There were 116 successful telephone contacts (58%). A total of 11 vaccinated patients were identified: 5 received YFV in the pretransplant period and 6 in the post-transplant period. All patients received the full dose of the vaccine. Among those vaccinated after transplant, only 1 reported a mild adverse event (nausea) after receiving the vaccine. All vaccinated patients who were post-transplant did not know about vaccine contraindications as a result of their clinical condition. Among the unvaccinated patients, this rate was 12.4%. YFV is the main tool for disease prevention and control as there is no specific antiviral treatment for YF. Our results confirm the evidence that transplant recipients tolerate YFV well. However, data are not strong enough to recommend this vaccine in transplant recipients. Counseling RTRs on the contraindications of YFV is important to prevent inadvertent use of this vaccine in this population.

Screening of Strongyloides infection using an ELISA test in transplant candidates.

OBJECTIVES: Hyperinfection or disseminated strongyloidiasis has been frequently reported after transplants and is related to high mortality. This study aimed to screen for strongyloidiasis using serological diagnoses in transplant candidates. METHODS: An ELISA test was performed with filariform larvae of Strongyloides venezuelensis as a source of antigen. RESULTS: In the serum from transplant candidates, anti-Strongyloides IgG antibodies were detected in 35/150 (23.3%) samples by soluble fractions in phosphate buffered saline (PBS), 31/150 (20.7%) samples by soluble fractions in Tris-HCl, 27/150 (18.0%) samples by membrane fractions in PBS and 22/150 (14.7%) samples by membrane fractions in Tris-HCl. CONCLUSIONS: The present results suggest the ELISA test, ideally using soluble fractions of filariform larvae S. venezuelensis in PBS, as an additional strategy for the diagnosis of strongyloidiasis in transplant candidates.

Viremia and viruria of trichodysplasia spinulosa-associated polyomavirus before the development of clinical disease in a kidney transplant recipient.

Trichodysplasia spinulosa (TS) is a rare disease associated with immunosuppression and induced by a polyomavirus denominated Tricodisplasia Polyomavirus (TSPyV). We report a case of TS 6 months after kidney transplantation in a 65 years-old woman under immunosuppression therapy with prednisone, mycophenolate and tacrolimus. The patient developed follicular papules on the face with a thickening of the skin and alopecia of the eyebrows, leading to distortion of the face and a leonine appearance characteristic of the disease. The skin biopsy confirmed the clinical diagnosis and the presence of TSPyV DNA in the skin was detected. Staining for SV40 was positive. Immunosuppression was changed: mycophenolate was withdrawn, tacrolimus reduced and everolimus added. Intravenous cidofovir and later on leflunomide were added. Although the literature has reported clinical success with topical cidofovir, we were unable to use it because this drug is not available. There was an improvement of skin lesions and on cosmetic appearance. The patient had three rejections (one clinically diagnosed and two other biopsy proven), progressed with renal failure and graft loss. Retrospective analysis of stored urine and blood samples detected TSPyV DNA in some of those samples two months before the TS clinical development. This case highlights the TSPyV detection in blood and urine samples before the development of skin lesions.

A Brazilian university hospital position regarding transplantation criteria for HIV-positive patients according to the current literature.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection was considered a contraindication for solid organ transplantation (SOT) in the past. However, HIV management has improved since highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) became available in 1996, and the long-term survival of patients living with HIV has led many transplant programs to reevaluate their policies regarding the exclusion of patients with HIV infection.Based on the available data in the medical literature and the cumulative experience of transplantation in HIV-positive patients at our hospital, the aim of the present article is to outline the criteria for transplantation in HIV-positive patients as recommended by the Immunocompromised Host Committee of the Hospital das Clínicas of the University of São Paulo.

Effect of polyoma viremia on 3-year allograft kidney function.

BACKGROUND: Polyoma viremia is associated with damage to renal tubular and urothelial cells. This may imply that a certain level of viremia, even cleared thereafter, could be associated with long-term renal dysfunction. METHODS: We, retrospectively, analyzed 390 first renal transplants adult recipients (≥18 years) who were monitored for BK viremia in the first 12 months and evaluated estimated GFR (MDRD-4 equation) at 1 month and at the last follow-up (959 ± 392 days). RESULTS: One hundred and ninety-nine patients (51%) developed at least one positive viremia: 105 (53%) low viremia (<104  copies/mL), 36 (18%) high viremia (4 × 104  > viremia ≥ 104  copies/mL) and 58 (15%) viremia (≥4 × 104  copies/mL) consistent with polyoma virus associated nephropathy (PyVAN). Out of these 58 patients, 24 (6%) developed bx-proven (SV40+) PyVAN and 34(8.7%) presumptive PyVAN (SV40-). Baseline characteristics, immunosuppression, KDRI, rejection episodes, etc., did not differ among groups but there were more deceased donors and ATG induction therapy in the high viremia group. At last follow-up, all patients in the low, high viremia and presumptive PyVAN (except 2) had cleared BK viremia. Bx-proven PyVAN led to 14 graft losses, 10 due to PyVAN. In the presumptive PyVAN there was only one graft loss registered as due to PyVAN. eGFR, at 1 month after KTx, did not differ among groups (51 ± 22 vs 48 ± 24 vs 45 ± 27 vs 43 ± 18 vs 46 ± 22 mL/min/1.73 m2 ), for no, low and high viremia as well for presumptive PyVAN and bx-proven PyVAN groups, respectively. At the last follow-up, eGFR did not differ between the no, low, and high viremia compared to baseline and to each other but was statistically lower in the presumptive and bx-proven PyVAN (38 ± 15 and 17 ± 7 mL/min/1.73 m2 ) either compared to baseline or to the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that low and high levels of BK viremia do not lead to GFR changes although very high viremia levels, compatible with presumptive or bx-proven PyVAN, even if cleared thereafter, lead to allograft damage and decreased GFR.

BK virus salivary shedding and viremia in renal transplant recipients.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to verify the presence of polyomavirus BK (BKPyV) in the saliva of kidney transplant recipients and to correlate it with blood viremia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have conducted a cross-sectional study with a sample involving 126 renal transplant recipients. 126 samples of saliva and 52 samples of blood were collected from these patients. Detection and quantification of BKPyV were performed using a real-time PCR. To compare the presence of BKPyV in blood and saliva, the binomial proportion test was used. To verify associations between salivary shedding BKPyV and post-transplant periods (in months), the Mann-Whitney test was used. Spearman's correlation was used to correlate the viral load in the saliva with blood of kidney transplant recipients. RESULTS: The mean age of the study group was 51.11±12.45 years old, and 69 participants (54.8%) were female, with a mean post-transplantation time of 4.80±6.04 months. BKPyV was quantified in several samples of saliva and blood, with medians of 1,108 cp/mL and 1,255 cp/mL, respectively. Only 16/52 (30.8%) participants presented BKPyV in blood, and 59/126 (46.8%) excreted the virus in saliva (p=0.004). BKPyV shedding was found in patients at a shorter post-transplantation period (3.86±5.25, p=0.100). A weak correlation was observed between viral quantification in saliva and blood (Spearman's correlation coefficient=0.193). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggested that, although saliva excretes more BKPyV than blood, there is no reliable correlation between salivary shedding and blood viremia, showing two independent compartments of viral replication.

A Brazilian university hospital position regarding transplantation criteria for HIV-positive patients according to the current literature

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection was considered a contraindication for solid organ transplantation (SOT) in the past. However, HIV management has improved since highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) became available in 1996, and the long-term survival of patients living with HIV has led many transplant programs to reevaluate their policies regarding the exclusion of patients with HIV infection. Based on the available data in the medical literature and the cumulative experience of transplantation in HIV-positive patients at our hospital, the aim of the present article is to outline the criteria for transplantation in HIV-positive patients as recommended by the Immunocompromised Host Committee of the Hospital das Clínicas of the University of São Paulo.

Screening of Strongyloides infection using an ELISA test in transplant candidates

OBJECTIVES: Hyperinfection or disseminated strongyloidiasis has been frequently reported after transplants and is related to high mortality. This study aimed to screen for strongyloidiasis using serological diagnoses in transplant candidates. METHODS: An ELISA test was performed with filariform larvae of Strongyloides venezuelensis as a source of antigen. RESULTS: In the serum from transplant candidates, anti-Strongyloides IgG antibodies were detected in 35/150 (23.3%) samples by soluble fractions in phosphate buffered saline (PBS), 31/150 (20.7%) samples by soluble fractions in Tris-HCl, 27/150 (18.0%) samples by membrane fractions in PBS and 22/150 (14.7%) samples by membrane fractions in Tris-HCl. CONCLUSIONS: The present results suggest the ELISA test, ideally using soluble fractions of filariform larvae S. venezuelensis in PBS, as an additional strategy for the diagnosis of strongyloidiasis in transplant candidates.