The question of screening organ donors for hepatitis e virus: a case report of transmission by kidney transplantation in France and a review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis E is a potentially serious infection in organ recipients, with an estimated two-thirds of cases becoming chronic, and with a subsequent risk of cirrhosis and death. In Europe, transmission occurs most often through the consumption of raw or undercooked pork, more rarely through blood transfusion, but also after solid organ transplantation. Here we describe a case of Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection transmitted following kidney transplantation and review the literature describing cases of HEV infection transmitted by solid organ transplantation. CASE PRESENTATION: Three weeks after kidney transplantation, the patient presented with an isolated minimal increase in GGT and hepatic cytolysis 6 months later, leading to the diagnosis of genotype 3c hepatitis E, with a plasma viral load of 6.5 log10IU/mL. In retrospect, HEV RNA was detected in the patient's serum from the onset of hepatitis, and in the donor's serum on the day of donation, with 100% identity between the viral sequences, confirming donor-derived HEV infection. Hepatitis E had a chronic course, was treated by ribavirin, and relapsed 10 months after the end of treatment. DISCUSSION: Seven cases of transmission of HEV by solid organ transplantation have been described since 2012 without systematic screening for donors, all diagnosed at the chronic infection stage; two patients died. HEV organ donor transmission may be underestimated and there is insufficient focus on immunocompromised patients in whom mild liver function test impairment is potentially related to hepatitis E. However, since HEV infection is potentially severe in these patients, and as evidence accumulates, we believe that systematic screening of organ donors should be implemented for deceased and living donors regardless of liver function abnormalities, as is already the case in the UK and Spain. In January 2024, the French regulatory agency of transplantation has implemented mandatory screening of organ donors for HEV RNA.

Prophylactic treatment of FSGS recurrence in patients who relapsed in a previous kidney graft.

BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS: Recurrence of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is common after kidney transplantation and is classically associated with a significant decrease in graft survival. A major risk factor is a prior history of FSGS recurrence on a previous graft. This analysis reports the impact of a prophylactic treatment of FSGS recurrence in very high-risk patients who experienced a recurrence on a previous graft. METHODS: We performed a retrospective multicentre observational study in 25 French transplantation centres. The inclusion criteria were patients aged more than 18 years who had undergone kidney transplant between December 31, 2004, and December 31, 2020, and who had a history of FSGS recurrence on a previous graft. RESULTS: We identified 66 patients: 40 received prophylactic treatment (PT+), including intravenous cyclosporine and/or rituximab and/or plasmapheresis, and 26 did not receive any prophylactic treatment (PT-). The time to progression to end-stage kidney disease was similar between groups. The PT + group was younger at FSGS diagnosis and at the time of kidney retransplantation and lost their previous graft faster. The overall recurrence rate was 72.7% (76.9% in the PT- group and 70.0% in the PT + group, P = 0.54). At least partial remission was achieved in 87.5% of patients. The 5-year graft survival was 67.7% (95% CI: 53.4 to 78.4%): 65.1% (95%CI: 48.7 to 77.4%) in patients with FSGS recurrence vs. 77.3% (95% CI: 43.8 to 92.3%) in patients without recurrence (P = 0.48). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that prophylactic treatment should not be used routinely in patients receiving a second transplantation after recurrence of FSGS on a previous graft. The recurrence rate is high regardless of the use of prophylactic treatment. However, the 5-year graft survival remains satisfactory.

Clinico-biological refinement of BCL11B-related disorder and identification of an episignature: A series of 20 unreported individuals.

PURPOSE: BCL11B-related disorder (BCL11B-RD) arises from rare genetic variants within the BCL11B gene, resulting in a distinctive clinical spectrum encompassing syndromic neurodevelopmental disorder, with or without intellectual disability, associated with facial features and impaired immune function. This study presents an in-depth clinico-biological analysis of 20 newly reported individuals with BCL11B-RD, coupled with a characterization of genome-wide DNA methylation patterns of this genetic condition. METHODS: Through an international collaboration, clinical and molecular data from 20 individuals were systematically gathered, and a comparative analysis was conducted between this series and existing literature. We further scrutinized peripheral blood DNA methylation profile of individuals with BCL11B-RD, contrasting them with healthy controls and other neurodevelopmental disorders marked by established episignature. RESULTS: Our findings unveil rarely documented clinical manifestations, notably including Rubinstein-Taybi-like facial features, craniosynostosis, and autoimmune disorders, all manifesting within the realm of BCL11B-RD. We refine the intricacies of T cell compartment alterations of BCL11B-RD, revealing decreased levels naive CD4+ T cells and recent thymic emigrants while concurrently observing an elevated proportion of effector-memory expressing CD45RA CD8+ T cells (TEMRA). Finally, a distinct DNA methylation episignature exclusive to BCL11B-RD is unveiled. CONCLUSION: This study serves to enrich our comprehension of the clinico-biological landscape of BCL11B-RD, potentially furnishing a more precise framework for diagnosis and follow-up of individuals carrying pathogenic BCL11B variant. Moreover, the identification of a unique DNA methylation episignature offers a valuable diagnosis tool for BCL11B-RD, thereby facilitating routine clinical practice by empowering physicians to reevaluate variants of uncertain significance within the BCL11B gene.

Race-free estimated glomerular filtration rate equation in kidney transplant recipients: development and validation study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the performance of a newly developed race-free kidney recipient specific glomerular filtration rate (GFR) equation with the three current main equations for measuring GFR in kidney transplant recipients. DESIGN: Development and validation study SETTING: 17 cohorts in Europe, the United States, and Australia (14 transplant centres, three clinical trials). PARTICIPANTS: 15 489 adults (3622 in development cohort (Necker, Saint Louis, and Toulouse hospitals, France), 11 867 in multiple external validation cohorts) who received kidney transplants between 1 January 2000 and 1 January 2021. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The main outcome measure was GFR, measured according to local practice. Performance of the GFR equations was assessed using P30 (proportion of estimated GFR (eGFR) within 30% of measured GFR (mGFR)) and correct classification (agreement between eGFR and mGFR according to GFR stages). The race-free equation, based on creatinine level, age, and sex, was developed using additive and multiplicative linear regressions, and its performance was compared with the three current main GFR equations: Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation, Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) 2009 equation, and race-free CKD-EPI 2021 equation. RESULTS: The study included 15 489 participants, with 50 464 mGFR and eGFR values. The mean GFR was 53.18 mL/min/1.73m2 (SD 17.23) in the development cohort and 55.90 mL/min/1.73m2 (19.69) in the external validation cohorts. Among the current GFR equations, the race-free CKD-EPI 2021 equation showed the lowest performance compared with the MDRD and CKD-EPI 2009 equations. When race was included in the kidney recipient specific GFR equation, performance did not increase. The race-free kidney recipient specific GFR equation showed significantly improved performance compared with the race-free CKD-EPI 2021 equation and performed well in the external validation cohorts (P30 ranging from 73.0% to 91.3%). The race-free kidney recipient specific GFR equation performed well in several subpopulations of kidney transplant recipients stratified by race (P30 73.0-91.3%), sex (72.7-91.4%), age (70.3-92.0%), body mass index (64.5-100%), donor type (58.5-92.9%), donor age (68.3-94.3%), treatment (78.5-85.2%), creatinine level (72.8-91.3%), GFR measurement method (73.0-91.3%), and timing of GFR measurement post-transplant (72.9-95.5%). An online application was developed that estimates GFR based on recipient's creatinine level, age, and sex (https://transplant-prediction-system.shinyapps.io/eGFR_equation_KTX/). CONCLUSION: A new race-free kidney recipient specific GFR equation was developed and validated using multiple, large, international cohorts of kidney transplant recipients. The equation showed high accuracy and outperformed the race-free CKD-EPI 2021 equation that was developed in individuals with native kidneys. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05229939.

Long-term Prolonged-release Tacrolimus-based Immunosuppression in De Novo Kidney Transplant Recipients: 5-Y Prospective Follow-up of Patients in the ADVANCE Study.

Although prolonged-release tacrolimus (PR-T) is widely approved for posttransplantation immunosuppression in kidney recipients, large-scale studies are required to assess long-term outcomes. We present follow-up data from the Advagraf-based Immunosuppression Regimen Examining New Onset Diabetes Mellitus in Kidney Transplant Recipients (ADVANCE) trial, in which kidney transplant patients (KTPs) received corticosteroid minimization with PR-T. Methods: ADVANCE was a 24-wk, randomized, open-label, phase-4 study. De novo KTPs received PR-T with basiliximab and mycophenolate mofetil and were randomized to receive an intraoperative corticosteroid bolus plus tapered corticosteroids until day 10 (arm 1) or an intraoperative corticosteroid bolus (arm 2). In this 5-y, noninterventional follow-up, patients received maintenance immunosuppression according to standard practice. The primary endpoint was graft survival (Kaplan-Meier). Secondary endpoints included patient survival, biopsy-confirmed acute rejection-free survival, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (4-variable modification of diet in renal disease). Results: Follow-up study included 1125 patients. Overall graft survival at 1 and 5 y posttransplantation was 93.8% and 88.1%, respectively, and was similar between treatment arms. At 1 and 5 y, patient survival was 97.8% and 94.4%, respectively. Five-year graft and patient survival rates in KTPs who remained on PR-T were 91.5% and 98.2%, respectively. Cox proportional hazards analysis demonstrated similar risk of graft loss and death between treatment arms. Five-year biopsy-confirmed acute rejection-free survival was 84.1%. Mean ± standard deviation values of estimated glomerular filtration rate were 52.7 ± 19.5 and 51.1 ± 22.4 mL/min/1.73 m2 at 1 and 5 y, respectively. Fifty adverse drug reactions were recorded, probably tacrolimus-related in 12 patients (1.5%). Conclusions: Graft survival and patient survival (overall and for KTPs who remained on PR-T) were numerically high and similar between treatment arms at 5 y posttransplantation.

C5b-9 Glomerular Deposits Are Associated With Poor Renal Survival in Membranous Nephropathy.

Introduction: Membranous nephropathy (MN) is the first cause of nephrotic syndrome in patients without diabetes. Its prognosis is variable, and treatment remains controversial because of potential toxicity. Currently, there is no reliable prognostic marker common to all etiologies of MN and routinely available to predict the disease course and guide therapeutic management. Despite the major role of complement in the glomerular damage of MN, its prognostic impact has never been studied. We investigated the frequency and prognostic impact of glomerular deposition of C5b-9 in MN. Methods: We retrospectively selected adults diagnosed with MN (primary or secondary) at Montpellier University Hospital between December 2004 and December 2015. To be included, all patients were required to have complete medical data and a kidney tissue sample for further immunohistochemistry. We performed PLA2R1, C4d, and C5b-9 staining by immunohistochemistry. Results: Sixty-four adults were included: 45 with primary MN and 19 with secondary MN. C4d was positive in the glomeruli of 61 adults (95.3%). Twenty-nine adults (45.3%) had glomerular deposition of C5b-9. Patients with glomerular deposition of C5b-9 had more severe nephrotic syndrome on diagnosis and lower remission and renal survival rates than adults without. Conclusion: C5b-9 glomerular staining is a powerful and easily accessible tool for stratifying adults according to their renal prognosis. The efficacy of complement inhibitors should be tested in adults with glomerular deposition of C5b-9.

Nonskeletal and skeletal effects of high doses versus low doses of vitamin D3 in renal transplant recipients: Results of the VITALE (VITamin D supplementation in renAL transplant recipients) study, a randomized clinical trial.

Vitamin D sufficiency is associated with a reduced risk of fractures, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular events, and cancers, which are frequent complications after renal transplantation. The VITALE (VITamin D supplementation in renAL transplant recipients) study is a multicenter double-blind randomized trial, including nondiabetic adult renal transplant recipients with serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH) vitamin D) levels of <30 ng/mL, which is randomized 12 to 48 months after transplantation to receive high (100 000 IU) or low doses (12 000 IU) of cholecalciferol every 2 weeks for 2 months and then monthly for 22 months. The primary outcome was a composite endpoint, including diabetes mellitus, major cardiovascular events, cancer, and death. Of 536 inclusions (50.8 [13.7] years, 335 men), 269 and 267 inclusions were in the high-dose and low-dose groups, respectively. The serum 25(OH) vitamin D levels increased by 23 versus 6 ng/mL in the high-dose and low-dose groups, respectively (P < .0001). In the intent-to-treat analysis, 15% versus 16% of the patients in the high-dose and low-dose groups, respectively, experienced a first event of the composite endpoint (hazard ratio, 0.94 [0.60-1.48]; P = .78), whereas 1% and 4% of patients in the high-dose and low-dose groups, respectively, experienced an incident symptomatic fracture (odds ratio, 0.24 [0.07-0.86], P = .03). The incidence of adverse events was similar between the groups. After renal transplantation, high doses of cholecalciferol are safe but do not reduce extraskeletal complications (trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov; identifier: NCT01431430).

Impaired antigen-specific B-cell responses after Influenza vaccination in kidney transplant recipients receiving co-stimulation blockade with Belatacept.

Emerging data suggest that costimulation blockade with belatacept effectively controls humoral alloimmune responses. However, whether this effect may be deleterious for protective anti-infectious immunity remains poorly understood. We performed a mechanistic exploratory study in 23 kidney transplant recipients receiving either the calcineurin-inhibitor tacrolimus (Tac, n=14) or belatacept (n=9) evaluating different cellular immune responses after influenza vaccination such as activated T follicular Helper (Tfh), plasmablasts and H1N1 hemagglutinin (HA)-specific memory B cells (HA+mBC) by flow-cytometry, and anti-influenza antibodies by hemagglutination inhibition test (HI), at baseline and days 10, 30 and 90 post-vaccination. The proportion of CD4+CD54RA-CXCR5+ Tfh was lower in belatacept than Tac patients at baseline (1.86%[1.25-3.03] vs 4.88%[2.40-8.27], p=0.01) and remained stable post-vaccination. At M3, HA+mBc were significantly higher in Tac-treated patients (0.56%[0.32-1.49] vs 0.27%[0.13-0.44], p=0.04) and correlated with activated Tfh numbers. When stratifying patients according to baseline HA+mBc frequencies, belatacept patients with low HA+mBC displayed significantly lower HA+mBc increases after vaccination than Tac patients (1.28[0.94-2.4] vs 2.54[1.73-5.70], p=0.04). Also, belatacept patients displayed significantly lower seroprotection rates against H1N1 at baseline than Tac-treated patients (44.4% vs 84.6%) as well as lower seroconversion rates at days 10, 30 and 90 after vaccination (50% vs 0%, 63.6% vs 0%, and 63.6% vs 0%, respectively). We show the efficacy of belatacept inhibiting T-dependent antigen-specific humoral immune responses, active immunization should be highly encouraged before starting belatacept therapy.

The MHC class I MICA gene is a histocompatibility antigen in kidney transplantation.

The identity of histocompatibility loci, besides human leukocyte antigen (HLA), remains elusive. The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I MICA gene is a candidate histocompatibility locus. Here, we investigate its role in a French multicenter cohort of 1,356 kidney transplants. MICA mismatches were associated with decreased graft survival (hazard ratio (HR), 2.12; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.45-3.11; P < 0.001). Both before and after transplantation anti-MICA donor-specific antibodies (DSA) were strongly associated with increased antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) (HR, 3.79; 95% CI: 1.94-7.39; P < 0.001; HR, 9.92; 95% CI: 7.43-13.20; P < 0.001, respectively). This effect was synergetic with that of anti-HLA DSA before and after transplantation (HR, 25.68; 95% CI: 3.31-199.41; P = 0.002; HR, 82.67; 95% CI: 33.67-202.97; P < 0.001, respectively). De novo-developed anti-MICA DSA were the most harmful because they were also associated with reduced graft survival (HR, 1.29; 95% CI: 1.05-1.58; P = 0.014). Finally, the damaging effect of anti-MICA DSA on graft survival was confirmed in an independent cohort of 168 patients with ABMR (HR, 1.71; 95% CI: 1.02-2.86; P = 0.041). In conclusion, assessment of MICA matching and immunization for the identification of patients at high risk for transplant rejection and loss is warranted.

A comprehensive assessment of long-term SARS-CoV-2-specific adaptive immune memory in convalescent COVID-19 Solid Organ Transplant recipients.

Long-term adaptive immune memory has been reported among immunocompetent individuals up to eight months following SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, limited data is available in convalescent patients with a solid organ transplant. To investigate this, we performed a thorough evaluation of adaptive immune memory at different compartments (serological, memory B cells and cytokine [IFN-γ, IL-2, IFN-γ/IL12 and IL-21] producing T cells) specific to SARS-CoV-2 by ELISA and FluoroSpot-based assays in 102 convalescent patients (53 with a solid organ transplants (38 kidney, 5 liver, 5 lung and 5 heart transplant) and 49 immunocompetent controls) with different clinical COVID-19 severity (severe, mild and asymptomatic) beyond six months after infection. While similar detectable memory responses at different immune compartments were detected between those with a solid organ transplant and immunocompetent individuals, these responses were predominantly driven by distinct COVID-19 clinical severities (97.6%, 80.5% and 42.1%, all significantly different, were seropositive; 84% vs 75% vs 35.7%, all significantly different, showed IgG-producing memory B cells and 82.5%, 86.9% and 31.6%, displayed IFN-γ producing T cells; in severe, mild and asymptomatic convalescent patients, respectively). Notably, patients with a solid organ transplant with longer time after transplantation did more likely show detectable long-lasting immune memory, regardless of COVID-19 severity. Thus, our study shows that patients with a solid organ transplant are capable of maintaining long-lasting peripheral immune memory after COVID-19 infection; mainly determined by the degree of infection severity.

IgG3 donor-specific antibodies with a proinflammatory glycosylation profile may be associated with the risk of antibody-mediated rejection after kidney transplantation.

The pathogenicity of de novo donor-specific antibodies (dnDSA) varies according to their characteristics. While their MFI, complement-fixing ability, and IgG3 subclass are associated with ABMR occurrence and graft loss, they are not fully predictive of outcomes. We investigated the role of the Fc glycosylation of IgG3 dnDSA in ABMR occurrence using mass spectrometry after isolation by single HLA antigen beads. Between 2014 and 2018, we enrolled 54 patients who developed dnDSA (ABMR- n = 24; ABMR+ n = 30) in two French transplant centers. Fucosylation, galactosylation, GlcNAc bisection, and sialylation of IgG3 dnDSA were compared between ABMR+ and ABMR- patients. IgG3 dnDSA from ABMR+ patients exhibited significantly lower sialylation (7.5% vs. 10.5%, p < .001) and higher GlcNAc bisection (20.6% vs. 17.4%, p = .008). Fucosylation and galactosylation were similar in both groups. DSA glycosylation was not correlated with DSA MFI. In a multivariate analysis, low IgG3 sialylation, high IgG3%, time from transplantation to kidney biopsy, and tacrolimus-free regimen were independent predictive factors of ABMR. We conclude that a proinflammatory glycosylation profile of IgG3 dnDSA is associated with a risk of ABMR occurrence. Further studies are needed to confirm the clinical interest of DSA glycosylation and to clarify its role in determining the risk of ABMR and graft survival.

Kidney transplantation from expanded criteria donors: an increased risk of urinary complications - the UriNary Complications Of Renal Transplant (UNyCORT) study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of expanded criteria donors (ECD) on urinary complications in kidney transplantation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The UriNary Complications Of Renal Transplant (UNyCORT) is a cohort study based on the French prospective Données Informatisées et VAlidées en Transplantation/Computerized and VAlidated Data in Transplantation (DIVAT) cohort. Data were extracted between 1 January 2002 and 1 January 2018 with 1-year minimum follow-up, in relation to 44 pre- and postoperative variables. ECD status was included according to United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) definition. The primary outcome of the UNyCORT study was the association between the donor's ECD/standard criteria donors (SCD) status and urinary complications at 1 year in uni- and multivariate analysis. Sub-group analysis, stratified analysis on ECD/SCD donor's status and transplant failure analysis were then conducted. RESULTS: Between 1 January 2002 and 1 January 2018, 10 279 kidney transplants in adult recipients were recorded within the DIVAT network. A total of 8559 (83.4%) donors were deceased donors and 1699 (16.6%) were living donors (LD). Among donation after circulatory death (DCD) donors, 224 (2.85%) were uncontrolled DCD and 93 (1.09%) were controlled DCD donors. A total of 3617 (43.9%) deceased donors were ECD. The overall urological complication rate was 16.26%. The donor's ECD status was significantly associated with an increased risk of urological complications at 1 year in multivariate analysis (odds ratio: 1.50, 95% CI 1.31-1.71; P < 0.001) and especially with stenosis and ureteric fistulae at 1 year. There is no association with LD, uncontrolled and controlled DCD. The placement of an endo-ureteric stent was beneficial in preventing urinary complications in all donors and particularly in ECD donors. CONCLUSION: The donor's ECD status is associated with a higher likelihood of stenosis and ureteric fistulae at 1 year. Recipients of grafts from ECD donors should probably be considered for closer urological monitoring and systematic preventive measures.

Contactin-1 is a novel target antigen in membranous nephropathy associated with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy.

Primary membranous nephropathy (MN) is an autoimmune glomerular disease in which autoantibodies are directed against podocyte proteins. In about 80% of cases the main targeted antigen is the phospholipase A2 receptor 1 (PLA2R1). Anti-PLA2R1 antibodies are mainly immunoglobulin G type 4 (IgG4). However, the antigenic target remains to be defined in 20% of cases. MN can be associated with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, an autoimmune disease of the peripheral nervous system where a common antigenic target has yet to be identified. To ascertain a possible novel target antigen, we analyzed kidney biopsies from five patients positive for anti-contactin 1 antibodies and presenting with MN combined with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. Eluted IgG from biopsy sections against contactin 1 and nerve tissue were screened. Western blot revealed contactin 1 expression in normal kidney glomeruli. Confocal microscopic analysis showed the presence and colocalization of contactin 1 and IgG4 on the glomerular basement membrane of these patients. Glomerular contactin 1 was absent in patients with anti-PLA2R1-associated MN or membranous lupus nephritis or a healthy control. The eluted IgG from contactin 1-positive biopsy sections but not the IgG eluted from patients with PLA2R1 MN bound contactin 1 with the main eluted subclass IgG4. Eluted IgG could bind paranodal tissue (myelinated axon) and colocalized with commercial anti-contactin 1 antibody. Thus, contactin 1 is a novel common antigenic target in MN associated with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. However, the precise pathophysiology remains to be elucidated.

Cohort study: "Outcomes of kidney transplantation in patients with prosthetic heart valves".

The number of kidney transplant candidates with prosthetic heart valves (PHVs) is increasing. Yet, outcomes of kidney transplantation in these patients are still unclear. This is the first report of post-transplant outcomes in patients with PHVs at time of kidney transplantation. We conducted a matched cohort study among recipients from the multicentric and prospective DIVAT cohort to compare the outcomes in patients with left-sided PHVs at time of transplantation and a group of recipients without PHV matched according to age, dialysis time, initial disease, pretransplant DSA, diabetes, and cardiovascular events. Of 23 018 patients, 92 patients with PHVs were included and compared to 276 patients without PHV. Delayed graft function and postoperative bleeding occurred more frequently in patients with PHVs. Kidney graft survival was similar between groups. 5-year overall survival was 68.5% in patients with PHV vs. 87.9% in patients without PHV [HR, 2.72 (1.57-4.70), P = 0.0004]. Deaths from infection, endocarditis, and bleeding were more frequent in patients with PHV. Mechanical valves, but not bioprosthetic valves, were independent risk factors for mortality [HR, 2.89 (1.68-4.97), P = 0.0001]. Patients with PHV have high mortality rates after kidney transplantation. These data suggest that mechanical valves, but not biological valves, increase risks of post-transplant mortality.

SARS-CoV-2-specific serological and functional T cell immune responses during acute and early COVID-19 convalescence in solid organ transplant patients.

The description of protective humoral and T cell immune responses specific against SARS-CoV-2 has been reported among immunocompetent (IC) individuals developing COVID-19 infection. However, its characterization and determinants of poorer outcomes among the at-risk solid organ transplant (SOT) patient population have not been thoroughly investigated. Cytokine-producing T cell responses, such as IFN-γ, IL-2, IFN-γ/IL-2, IL-6, IL-21, and IL-5, against main immunogenic SARS-CoV-2 antigens and IgM/IgG serological immunity were tracked in SOT (n = 28) during acute infection and at two consecutive time points over the following 40 days of convalescence and were compared to matched IC (n = 16) patients admitted with similar moderate/severe COVID-19. We describe the development of a robust serological and functional T cell immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 among SOT patients, similar to IC patients during early convalescence. However, at the infection onset, SOT displayed lower IgG seroconversion rates (77% vs. 100%; p = .044), despite no differences on IgG titers, and a trend toward decreased SARS-CoV-2-reactive T cell frequencies, especially against the membrane protein (7 [0-34] vs. 113 [15-245], p = .011, 2 [0-9] vs. 45 [5-74], p = .009, and 0 [0-2] vs. 13 [1-24], p = .020, IFN-γ, IL-2, and IFN-γ/IL-2 spots, respectively). In summary, our data suggest that despite a certain initial delay, SOT population achieve comparable functional immune responses than the general population after moderate/severe COVID-19.

Kidney transplantation for active multiple myeloma or smoldering myeloma: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: The increased survival of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) raises the question of kidney transplantation (KT) in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). METHODS: We included 13 patients with MM or smoldering myeloma (SMM) and ESRD transplanted between 2007 and 2015, including 7 MM with cast nephropathy, 3 with MM-associated amyloid light chain amyloidosis or light chain deposition disease and 3 SMM and compared them with 65 control-matched kidney-transplanted patients. Nine of the MM patients with KT were also compared with 63 matched MM patients on haemodialysis. RESULTS: Pre-transplantation parameters were comparable, except for the duration of renal replacement therapy (57.8 versus 37.0 months; P = 0.029) in MM versus control patients, respectively. The median follow-up post-KT was 44.4 versus 36.4 months (P = 0.40). The median MM graft and patient survival were 80.1 and 117.2 months, respectively, and were not significantly different from control patients, although mortality tended to be higher in the 10 symptomatic MM patients (P = 0.059). MM patients had significantly more viral and fungal infections and immunosuppressive maintenance therapy modifications while they received lower induction therapy. Two MM patients relapsed and two SMM cases evolved to MM after KT. Three cast nephropathies occurred, two of them leading to ESRD. Moreover, survival of MM with KT increased relative to control haemodialysed patients (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Selected MM patients may benefit from KT but need careful surveillance in the case of KT complications and MM evolution.

Characteristics of T- and NK-cell Lymphomas After Renal Transplantation: A French National Multicentric Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLDs) encompass a spectrum of heterogeneous entities. Because the vast majority of cases PTLD arise from B cells, available data on PTLD of T or NK phenotype (T/NK-cell PTLD) are scarce, which limits the quality of the management of these patients. METHODS: All adult cases of PTLD diagnosed in France were prospectively recorded in the national registry between 1998 and 2007. Crosschecking the registry data with 2 other independent national databases identified 58 cases of T/NK-cell PTLD. This cohort was then compared with (i) the 395 cases of B-cell PTLD from the registry, and of (ii) a cohort of 148 T/NK-cell lymphomas diagnosed in nontransplanted patients. RESULTS: T/NK-cell PTLD occurred significantly later after transplantation and had a worse overall survival than B-cell PTLD. Two subtypes of T/NK-cell PTLD were distinguished: (i) cutaneous (28%) and (ii) systemic (72%), the latter being associated with a worse prognosis. Compared with T/NK-cell lymphomas of nontransplanted patients, overall survival of systemic T/NK-cell PTLD was worse (hazard ratio: 2.64 [1.76-3.94]; P < 0.00001). CONCLUSIONS: This difference, which persisted after adjustment on tumoral mass, histological subtype, and extension of the disease at diagnosis could be explained by the fact that transplanted patients were less intensively treated and responded less to chemotherapy.

Rituximab for recurrence of primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis after kidney transplantation: Results of a nationwide study.

Rituximab (RTX) therapy for primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis recurrence after kidney transplantation (KT) has been extensively debated. We aimed to assess the benefit of adding RTX to plasmapheresis (PP), corticosteroids, and calcineurin inhibitors (standard of care, SOC). We identified 148 adult patients who received KT in 12/2004-12/2018 at 21 French centers: 109 received SOC (Group 1, G1), and 39 received immediate RTX along with SOC (Group 2, G2). In G1, RTX was introduced after 28 days of SOC in the event of failure (G1a, n = 19) or PP withdrawal (G1b, n = 12). Complete remission (CR) was achieved in 46.6% of patients, and partial remission (PR) was achieved in 33.1%. The 10-year graft survival rates were 64.7% and 17.9% in responders and nonresponders, respectively. Propensity score analysis showed no difference in CR+PR rates between G1 (82.6%) and G2 (71.8%) (p = .08). Following the addition of RTX (G1a), 26.3% of patients had CR, and 31.6% had PR. The incidence of severe infections was similar between patients treated with and without RTX. In multivariable analysis, infection episodes were associated with hypogammaglobulinemia <5 g/L. RTX could be used in cases of SOC failure or remission for early discontinuation of PP without increasing the risk of infection.

Induction therapy in kidney transplant recipients: Description of the practices according to the calendar period from the French multicentric DIVAT cohort.

BACKGROUND: There is extensive literature with comparisons between Anti-Thymocyte Globulin (ATG) and Basiliximab (BSX) as induction therapy in kidney transplant recipients. The purpose of our benchmarking study was to describe the consequences in terms of practices in 6 transplantation centers of a French prospective cohort. METHODS: We included adult patients who received a first or second kidney graft between 2013 and 2019 (n = 4157). We used logistic regressions to identify characteristics associated with the use of ATG or BSX. RESULTS: Use of ATG between the centers ranged from 41% to 75%. We observed different factors associated with the treatment decision. Compared to a first transplant, performing a second graft was the only factor significantly associated with the choice of ATG in all centers. The AUC ranged from 0.67 to 0.91, indicating that the centers seemed to define their own rules. As a result, for patients with the same low immunological risk, the probability of receiving ATG varied from 7% to 36%. We stratified the analyses according to two periods, from 2013 to 2015 and from 2016 to 2019. A similar heterogeneity was observed, and in some cases ATG indications between the centers were inverted. CONCLUSIONS: The heterogeneity of induction therapy practices did not decrease in France, even if the reated literature is prolific. This illustrates the necessity to improve the literature by using meta-analyses of recent studies stratified by graft and patient profiles.

A Randomized Prospective Study Comparing Anti-T-Lymphocyte Igs to Basiliximab in Highly Sensitized Kidney Transplant Patients.

BACKGROUND: Two prospective studies that were performed before the era of highly sensitive solid-phase assays have shown a lower incidence of acute rejection in highly sensitized kidney-transplant patients given polyclonal antibodies compared with those given anti-CD25 monoclonal antibodies. METHODS: This prospective pilot randomized French multicenter study aimed to compare anti-T-lymphocyte Ig (ATLG) (n = 32) and basiliximab (n = 27) in highly sensitized kidney-transplant patients without preformed donor-specific antibodies (pDSAs) as assessed by a Luminex Single-Antigen flow bead assay. Only patients with a calculated panel reactive antibody ≥50%, with at least 1 antibody with a mean fluorescence intensity ≥5000 and without a historical pDSA and without a pDSA on the day of transplantation were included. RESULTS: Treatment failure as defined by biopsy-proven acute rejection, patient lost to follow-up, graft loss, and death was observed in 18.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 8.9%-37.1%) and 18.8% (95% CI, 8.9%-37.1%) in patients who received ATLG and 14.8% (95% CI, 5.8%-34.8%) and 28.2% (95% CI, 14.2%-51.2%) of patients who received basiliximab, respectively at 6 (P = 0.66) and 12 (P = 0.62) months post-transplantation. One T cell-mediated rejection was observed in ATLG-treated patients (3.1%). One antibody-mediated rejection due to a de novo donor-specific antibody (DSA) occurred in basiliximab-treated patients (3.7%). Patient survival, graft survival, kidney parameters, and infection rate were similar in the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: This pilot study indicates that in highly sensitized kidney-transplant patients without pDSAs, both ATLG and basiliximab can be used efficiently and safely. However, because of the lack of power, these results should be interpreted with caution.