Barriers to listing for HIV-infected patients being evaluated for kidney transplantation.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients have excellent outcomes following kidney transplantation (KT) but still might face barriers in the evaluation and listing process. The aim of this study was to characterize the patient population, referral patterns, and outcomes of HIV-infected patients who present for KT evaluation. We performed a single-center retrospective cohort study of HIV-infected patients who were evaluated for KT. The primary outcome was time to determination of eligibility for KT. Between 2011 and 2015, 105 HIV-infected patients were evaluated for KT. Of the 105 patients, 73 were listed for transplantation by the end of the study period. For those who were deemed ineligible, the most common reasons cited were active substance abuse (n = 7, 22%) and failure to complete the full transplant evaluation (n = 7, 22%). Our cohort demonstrated a higher proportion of HIV-infected patients eligible for KT than in previous studies, likely secondary to advances in HIV management. Among those who were denied access to transplantation, we identified that many were unable to complete the evaluation process, and that active substance abuse was common. Future prospective studies should examine reasons and potential interventions for the lack of follow-through and drug use we observed in this population.

Association of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate with primary allograft survival in HIV-positive kidney transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is an antiretroviral agent frequently used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). There are concerns regarding its potential to cause acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, and proximal tubulopathy. Although TDF can effectively suppress HIV after kidney transplantation, it is unknown whether use of TDF-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) after kidney transplantation adversely affects allograft survival. METHODS: We examined 104 HIV+ kidney transplant (KT) recipients at our center between 2001 and 2014. We generated a propensity score for TDF treatment using recipient and donor characteristics. We then fit Cox proportional hazards models to investigate the association between TDF treatment and 3-year, death-censored primary allograft failure, adjusting for the propensity score and delayed graft function (DGF). RESULTS: Of the 104 HIV+ KT candidates who underwent transplantation during the study period, 23 (22%) were maintained on TDF-based ART at the time of transplantation, and 81 (78%) were on non-TDF-based ART. Median age of the cohort was 48 years; 87% were male; 88% were black; and median CD4 count at transplantation was 450 cells/mm3 . Median kidney donor risk index was 1.2. At 3 years post transplantation, primary allograft failure occurred in 26% of patients on TDF-based ART and in 28% of patients on non-TDF-based ART (P=.5). TDF treatment was not associated with primary allograft failure at 3 years post transplant after adjusting for DGF and a propensity score for TDF use (hazard ratio 2.12, 95% confidence interval 0.41-10.9). CONCLUSIONS: In a large single-center experience of HIV+ kidney transplantation, TDF use following kidney transplantation was not significantly associated with primary allograft failure. These results may help inform management for HIV+ KT recipients in need of TDF therapy for adequate viral suppression.

Safety and Efficacy of Universal Postoperative Decolonization for Kidney Transplant Recipients.

OBJECTIVES: Infection is a common cause of morbidity and mortality after kidney transplant. Based on the well-documented successes of reducing infections with decolonization of patients in intensive care units, we began a universal immediate posttransplant decolonization program for all kidney transplant recipients. Herein, we report safety and efficacy of this decolonization program. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We compared a consecutive cohort of kidney transplant recipients who underwent universal decolonization (intervention group) with a cohort of transplant patients from an era immediately prior to this practice (control group). Universal decolonization included daily chlorhexidine body wash and nasal mupirocin ointment. RESULTS: Seventy-eight patients who underwent universal decolonization were compared with 43 patients in the control group. Ten microbiologically proven infections (8.3%) occurred in the 30 days after discharge: 7 (9%) in the intervention group and 3 (7%) in the control group. Forty-five transplant recipients (37.2%) were readmitted in the 30 days after discharge: 31 (39.7%) in the intervention group and 14 (32.6%) in the control group. No patients in the intervention group had adverse drug events from mupirocin and chlorhexidine use. CONCLUSIONS: A universal decolonization protocol was successfully implemented and was well tolerated by all patients. Despite successful implementation, we did not observe any significant differences in infection rates between treated patients and historical controls.