Pretransplant angiotensin II type 1-receptor antibodies are a risk factor for earlier detection of de novo HLA donor-specific antibodies.

BACKGROUND: Angiotensin II type 1 receptor antibodies (AT1Rabs) have been associated with significantly reduced graft survival. Earlier graft loss has been observed in patients who had pretransplant AT1Rabs and posttransplant donor-specific antibodies (DSA). METHODS: The main goal of this retrospective cohort study was to examine the association between AT1Rabs and the time period to detection of de novo human leukocyte antigen (HLA-DSA) posttransplantation in living donor kidney transplant recipients (KTR). The analysis included 141 KTRs. Pretransplant frozen serum samples were tested for AT1Rabs by ELISA and HLA-DSA by SAB (Luminex) at both the pre- and post-KT time points. RESULTS: The median AT1Rab level was 9.13 U (interquartile range 5.22-14.33). After a mean follow-up period of 3.55 years, 48 patients were found to harbour de novo HLA-DSAs. The presence of AT1Rabs [hazard ratio (HR) 1.009, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.002-1.01, P = 0.010], male-to-male transplantation (HR 2.57, 95% CI 1.42-4.67, P = 0.002) and antecedent borderline changes or acute cellular rejection (ACR) (HR 2.47, 95% CI 1.29-4.75, P = 0.006) were significantly associated with de novo DSA detection. A dose-dependent association between AT1Rab levels (<10 U, 10.1-16.9 U, 17-29.9 U and >30 U) and de novo DSA detection was observed (log-rank P = 0.0031). After multivariate analysis of AT1Rab levels (continuous variable), AT1Rabs >30 U, male-to-male transplantation, donor age, higher class I percentage of Panel Reactive Antibody and antecedent borderline changes or ACR remained as independent significant risk factors for the detection of de novo DSAs. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that higher levels of pretransplant circulating antibodies against AT1R (>30 U) in kidney graft recipients constitute an independent risk factor for earlier de novo HLA-DSA detection during the posttransplant period.

Changes in frequency of delayed graft function in deceased donor renal transplant recipient in a tertiary care center in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Delayed graft function (DGF) is defined as the need for dialysis within the first seven days of transplantation. The frequency of DGF has decreased in the last five years compared with the previous 20 years of the kidney transplant program at a Mexican referral hospital. OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and risk factors for DGF in the past five years (2009-2013). METHODS: We analyzed a retrospective cohort of renal transplant recipients from deceased donors at our hospital between March 2009 and May 2013 (Period 2), and compared the results with a previously evaluated cohort (Period 1, between January 1990 and February 2009). RESULTS: During the analyzed period, 78 deceased donor transplants were performed. The frequency of DGF was 9%. Multivariate analysis showed that recipient older age (OR: 1.074419; 95% CI: 1.0009-1.155116; p = 0.05), transoperative amines administration (OR: 7.73; 95% CI: 1.037-57.6; p = 0.046), and hypotension during surgery in the recipient (OR: 11.6; 95% CI: 1.33-100.8; p = 0.026) were risk factors for DGF. CONCLUSION: The incidence of DGF has significantly decreased in the past five years when compared to the previous 20 years in our hospital.