Outcomes of hepatitis C virus nucleic acid testing positive donors in aviremic recipients with delayed direct-acting antiviral initiation.

The use of allografts from hepatitis C virus (HCV) Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT)+ donors into HCV NAT- recipients has been reported to be efficacious in a handful of studies. However, these studies have not reflected real-world practice where the initiation of direct-acting antivirals (DAA) is dependent on insurance coverage. A single-center, retrospective chart review of HCV NAT- recipients who underwent solid organ transplantation (SOT) from a HCV NAT+ donor between April 1, 2019 and May 27, 2020 was conducted. Sixty-one HCV NAT- patients underwent SOT with a HCV NAT+ organ, with 59 transplant recipients included for evaluation: 22 kidney (KT), 18 liver (LiT), 10 heart (HT), nine lung (LuT). HCV transmission occurred in 100% of recipients. Average time to DAA initiation was POD 46.3 ± 25 days. SVR12 was achieved in 98% (56/57; two patients ineligible for analysis). Treatment failure occurred in one LuT on glecaprevir/pibrentasvir with P32del and Q80K mutations. No patients developed fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis. Two patients died, secondary to anastomotic complication (LuT) and pulmonary embolism (HT). Clinically significant rejection was diagnosed and treated in two HT (one patient with ACR2 and one with ACR2/pAMR2) and one LiT (RAI 5/9). Six patients (10.2%) had documented adverse effects attributed to DAA therapy, primarily gastrointestinal.

Sublingual administration of tacrolimus: current trends and available evidence.

Widespread anecdotal use of sublingual tacrolimus administration has arisen, although little literature exists to guide practice. Given the paucity of data, we conducted a survey to evaluate the practice of sublingual tacrolimus administration at transplant centers across the United States and evaluated the literature that is currently available. A 10-question online survey assessing the current state of sublingual tacrolimus use was distributed to pharmacists at transplant centers that each performed more than 100 solid organ transplantations in 2013. In addition, a literature review was performed by searching the PubMed database to identify available evidence for the sublingual administration of tacrolimus. The online survey was completed by 59 (65.6%) of the 90 targeted transplant centers, representing 51.3% of all solid organ transplantations performed in 2013. Sublingual administration of tacrolimus was used in all solid organ transplant populations, with ~67% of lung transplant centers using this route for tacrolimus. The most common dose conversion was 2 mg oral to 1 mg sublingual, with 92% of centers opening oral capsules and administering the contents sublingually. Home use of sublingual administration and use in the pediatric population was uncommon. Seven peer-reviewed reports and one abstract were identified in the literature review. Seven of the eight publications reported favorably on sublingual administration, although no consistent dose conversion or method of administration was elucidated. The majority of the transplant centers surveyed found sublingual tacrolimus a viable alternative when oral administration is unavailable. A large robust prospective evaluation of sublingual administration of tacrolimus is imperative to provide the most effective care to solid organ transplant recipients and to ensure optimal safety for both patients and providers who administer the drug.