Association of Pre-Existing Type 2 Diabetes on Kidney Transplant Outcomes and Factors Correlating With Survival: A Single-Center Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Kidney transplantation (KT) is the treatment of choice for end-stage renal disease. Diabetes mellitus is the most common indication for KT, with most recipients having type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Previous studies have shown inferior patient survival in T2DM KT recipients. This single-center study aimed to understand the individual factors associated with negative long-term outcomes. METHODS: This is a single-center retrospective analysis of adult KT recipients, with and without T2DM from 2012 to 2017 with a follow-up through December 2022. Primary Outcomes were graft loss and patient survival. Univariate, Multivariate Cox regression, and Kaplan-Meier analyses were used to assess KT outcomes. RESULTS: We analyzed 1185 patients, 288 (24.3%) with T2DM. T2DM patients tended to be older, 56.6 ± 9.8 versus 47.1 ± 13.7 y. (P < 0.01), male (66.3% versus 58.2% P < 0.001) had a higher body mass index, 31.3 ± 5.4 versus 27.4 ± 5.7 P < 0.01) and less likely to get a living donor transplant (46.5% versus 58.4%, P < 0.01). T2DM patients after KT had a 50% higher risk for graft loss (hazard ratio 1.509, 95% CI 1.15-1.95, P < 0.001) and a 106% higher risk of death (hazard ratio 2.06 (95% CI 1.48-2.87, P < 0.0001). Among the T2DM patients, the most common cause of death was infection (39.9%). The average HbA1c at 1 y after transplant was 7.8%. CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows that T2DM is strongly associated with an increased risk of graft loss and death after KT, particularly in older recipients of deceased donor transplants with longer cold ischemia time that experience delayed graft function. This underscores the importance of avoiding delayed graft function in older, type 2 diabetic kidney transplant recipients and prioritizing living donors.

The Differential Impact of Early Graft Dysfunction in Kidney Donation After Brain Death and After Circulatory Death: Insights from the Dutch National Transplant Registry.

Kidneys donated after circulatory death (DCD) perform similarly to kidneys donated after brain death (DBD). However, the respective incidences of delayed graft function (DGF) differ. This questions the donor type-specific impact of early graft function on long-term outcome. Using competing risk and cox regression analysis, we compared death-censored graft loss between types of early graft function: DGF (temporary dialysis dependency started within seven days after transplantation), slow graft function (SGF, three-day plasma creatinine decline less than 10% per day), and immediate graft function (IGF). In 1061 DBD and 1605 DCD graft recipients (January 2014 until January 2023), graft survival was similar. DGF was associated with death-censored graft loss in DBD and DCD (adjusted hazard ratios [aHR]: DGF in DBD: 1.79 [1.04- 2.91], p = 0.027, DGF in DCD: 1.84 [1.18 - 2.87], p = 0.008; Reference: no DGF). SGF was associated with death-censored graft loss in DBD, but not significantly in DCD (aHR DBD: 2.82 (1.34 - 5.93), p = 0.007, and DCD: 1.54 (0.72 - 3.35), p = 0.262; Reference: IGF). Early graft dysfunction has a differential impact on graft outcome in DBD and DCD. The differences between DBD and DCD should be accounted for in research and the clinic.

Intraoperative Mean Arterial Pressure and Postoperative Delayed Graft Function in Kidney Transplantation: Evaluating Three Commonly Used Thresholds.

BACKGROUND: Delayed graft function (DGF) is a common early complication after kidney transplantation (KT) and is associated with various long-term adverse outcomes. Despite numerous studies on hemodynamic management, the optimal hemodynamic goals during KT remain unclear. In this retrospective study, we aimed to investigate if three mean artery pressure (MAP) thresholds (≤75, 80, and 85 mmHg) that were commonly used in clinical practice were associated with DGF in adult patients undergoing KT. METHODS: We extracted de-identified data on adult patients who underwent deceased donor KT from our Discovery Data Repository. DGF was defined as the requirement for dialysis within the first 7 days after transplantation. Three MAP thresholds (≤75, 80, and 85 mmHg) and the duration of pressure below the three thresholds were recorded. Multivariable logistic analysis was used to identify risk factors for DGF. RESULTS: We included 2301 adult KT patients. The mean age was 52.5±12.9 years and 59% were male. DGF occurred in 1066 patients (46.3%). Patients frequently experienced MAP ≤75, 80, and 85 mmHg (approximately 70%, 80%, and 90% of patients experienced 10 min of MAP ≤75, 80, and 85 mmHg, respectively). Patients with DGF spent significantly longer durations below the three MAP thresholds during surgery compared with those without DGF. Further analysis revealed that the minimal time spent on MAP ≤75, 80, and 85 mmHg that were significantly associated with DGF were 6, 23, and 37 min, respectively. After adjusting for non-hemodynamic risk factors (age, basiliximab administration, and urine output), prolonged exposure to the three MAP thresholds remained significant predictors for DGF (for MAP ≤75 mmHg, OR 1.257, 95% CI 1.017-1.554, p = 0.034; MAP ≤80 mmHg, OR 1.220, 95% CI 1.018-1.463, p = 0.031; MAP ≤85 mmHg, OR 1.253, 95% CI 1.048-1.498, p = 0.013). CONCLUSION: Prolonged exposure to the three common MAP thresholds (≤75, 80, and 85 mmHg) occurred frequently during adult deceased donor KT and was associated with DGF.

Comparative efficacy of balanced crystalloids versus 0.9% saline on delayed graft function and perioperative outcomes in kidney transplantation: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Delayed graft function after kidney transplantation is linked to poor graft survival and increased chronic allograft injury. Recent guidelines suggest using balanced crystalloids over 0.9% saline owing to better metabolic profiles, but their impact on DGF remains unclear. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central Registry of Clinical Trials from inception until February 29, 2024, and included RCTs that randomised adult participants to receive either intravenous balanced fluids or 0.9% saline intraoperatively. We pooled data using a random-effects model and present risk ratios (RRs) or mean differences, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We assessed individual study risk of bias using the modified Cochrane tool and certainty of evidence using GRADE. Outcomes analysed were delayed graft function incidence, vasopressor requirements, length of hospital stay, and postoperative metabolic profiles. RESULTS: Of 106 publications identified, we included 11 RCTs (n=1717). Pooled analysis showed that the use of balanced fluids was associated with a lower incidence of delayed graft function compared with 0.9% saline (RR 0.82, 95% CI: 0.69 to 0.98, P=0.01, moderate certainty). Balanced crystalloids were associated with higher postoperative serum pH, higher serum bicarbonate, and lower serum chloride concentration, but effects on vasopressor requirements, length of hospital stay, and serum creatinine were uncertain. CONCLUSIONS: Balanced crystalloid intravenous fluid therapy reduced delayed graft function incidence and maintained more favourable serum chemistry profiles compared with 0.9% saline in patients undergoing kidney transplantation. However, crystalloid type did not significantly influence vasopressor requirements and length of hospital stay.

An integrated machine learning model enhances delayed graft function prediction in pediatric renal transplantation from deceased donors.

BACKGROUND: Kidney transplantation is the optimal renal replacement therapy for children with end-stage renal disease; however, delayed graft function (DGF), a common post-operative complication, may negatively impact the long-term outcomes of both the graft and the pediatric recipient. However, there is limited research on DGF in pediatric kidney transplant recipients. This study aims to develop a predictive model for the risk of DGF occurrence after pediatric kidney transplantation by integrating donor and recipient characteristics and utilizing machine learning algorithms, ultimately providing guidance for clinical decision-making. METHODS: This single-center retrospective cohort study includes all recipients under 18 years of age who underwent single-donor kidney transplantation at our hospital between 2016 and 2023, along with their corresponding donors. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory examination data were collected from both donors and recipients. Univariate logistic regression models and differential analysis were employed to identify features associated with DGF. Subsequently, a risk score for predicting DGF occurrence (DGF-RS) was constructed based on machine learning combinations. Model performance was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic curves, decision curve analysis (DCA), and other methods. RESULTS: The study included a total of 140 pediatric kidney transplant recipients, among whom 37 (26.4%) developed DGF. Univariate analysis revealed that high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), donor after circulatory death (DCD), warm ischemia time (WIT), cold ischemia time (CIT), gender match, and donor creatinine were significantly associated with DGF (P < 0.05). Based on these six features, the random forest model (mtry = 5, 75%p) exhibited the best predictive performance among 97 machine learning models, with the area under the curve values reaching 0.983, 1, and 0.905 for the entire cohort, training set, and validation set, respectively. This model significantly outperformed single indicators. The DCA curve confirmed the clinical utility of this model. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we developed a machine learning-based predictive model for DGF following pediatric kidney transplantation, termed DGF-RS, which integrates both donor and recipient characteristics. The model demonstrated excellent predictive accuracy and provides essential guidance for clinical decision-making. These findings contribute to our understanding of the pathogenesis of DGF.

Perioperative outcomes of 105 cases of ABO-incompatible live donor kidney transplantation: a retrospective single-center observational study.

Background: ABO-incompatible (ABOi) kidney transplantation poses significant challenges in achieving successful outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the impact of various interventions and techniques on improving the success rates of ABOi kidney transplantation. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational analysis of patients who underwent ABOi kidney transplantation from November 2012 to March 2023. The study included a total of 105 patients. We collected and analyzed data on patient demographics, preoperative assessments, surgical details, and postoperative outcomes. Results: The mean ages of the donors and recipients were 50.52±10.32 and 36.63±11.61 years, respectively. The majority of recipients were male (81.9%), while most donors were female (89.5%). The most common blood group among recipients was O (69.5%), and among donors, it was B (46.7%). The median durations of chronic kidney disease and dialysis were 12 months (interquartile range [IQR], 7-28 months) and 6 months (IQR, 2-12 months), respectively. Baseline antibody titers (anti-A and anti-B) ranged from 64.0 to 256.0, while on the day of surgery, they were ≤8. Perioperative complications included hypotension (10.5%), acute tubular necrosis (5.7%), delayed graft function (3.8%), and reexploration (3.8%) due to hematoma. Conclusions: ABOi kidney transplantation is a viable option for recipients lacking available donors with an ABO-compatible match. Perioperative concerns, including hypoalbuminemia, heightened risk of infections, coagulopathies, aseptic precautions, and immunological surveillance, must be carefully addressed.

Clinical outcomes prediction in kidney transplantation by use of biomarkers from hypothermic machine perfusion

ABSTRACT Purpose The clinical outcomes of kidney transplantation from deceased donors have seen significant improvements with the use of machine perfusion (MP), now a standard practice in transplant centers. However, the use of perfusate biomarkers for assessing organ quality remains a subject of debate. Despite this, some centers incorporate them into their decision-making process for donor kidney acceptance. Recent studies have indicated that lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glutathione S-transferase, interleukin-18, and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) could predict post-transplant outcomes. Materials and Methods Between August 2016 and June 2017, 31 deceased-donor after brain death were included and stroke was the main cause of death. Pediatric patients, hypersensitized recipients were excluded. 43 kidneys were subjected to machine perfusion. Perfusate samples were collected just before the transplantation and stored at -80ºC. Kidney transplant recipients have an average age of 52 years, 34,9% female, with a BMI 24,6±3,7. We employed receiver operating characteristic analysis to investigate associations between these perfusate biomarkers and two key clinical outcomes: delayed graft function and primary non-function. Results The incidence of delayed graft function was 23.3% and primary non-function was 14%. A strong association was found between NGAL concentration and DGF (AUC=0.766, 95% CI, P=0.012), and between LDH concentration and PNF (AUC=0.84, 95% CI, P=0.027). Other perfusate biomarkers did not show significant correlations with these clinical outcomes. Conclusion The concentrations of NGAL and LDH during machine perfusion could assist transplant physicians in improving the allocation of donated organs and making challenging decisions regarding organ discarding. Further, larger-scale studies are required.

The impact of donor diabetes on recipient postoperative complications, renal function, and survival rate in deceased donor kidney transplantation: a single-center analysis.

As the global incidence of diabetes rises and diagnoses among younger patients increase, transplant centers worldwide are encountering more organ donors with diabetes. This study examined 80 donors and 160 recipients, including 30 donors with diabetes (DD) and their 60 recipients (DDR). The control group comprised 50 non-diabetic donors (ND) and 100 recipients (NDR). We analyzed clinical, biochemical, and pathological data for both diabetic and control groups, using logistic regression to identify risk factors for delayed graft function (DGF) after kidney transplantation. Results showed that pre-procurement blood urea nitrogen levels were significantly higher in DD [18.20 ± 10.63 vs. 10.86 ± 6.92, p = 0.002] compared to ND. Renal pathological damage in DD was notably more severe, likely contributing to the higher DGF incidence in DDR compared to NDR. Although DDR had poorer renal function during the first three months post-transplant, both groups showed similar renal function thereafter. No significant differences were observed in 1-year or 3-year mortality rates or graft failure rates between DDR and NDR. Notably, according to the Renal Pathology Society (RPS) grading system, kidneys from diabetic donors with a grade > IIb are associated with significantly lower postoperative survival rates. Recipient gender [OR: 5.452 (1.330-22.353), p = 0.013] and pre-transplant PRA positivity [OR: 34.879 (7.698-158.030), p < 0.001] were identified as independent predictors of DGF in DDR. In conclusion, transplant centers may consider utilizing kidneys from diabetic donors, provided they are evaluated pathologically, without adversely impacting recipient survival and graft failure rates.

Gut microbiota alterations in renal transplant recipients and the risk of urinary tract infection and delayed graft function: A preliminary prospective study.

BACKGROUND: The implication of gut microbiota in the gut-kidney axis affects the pathophysiology of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Gut microbiota composition changes during CKD. We aimed to determine the relative frequency of important gut microbiota members in end-stage renal disease (ERSD) patients before and after renal transplantation compared to healthy subjects. METHODS: Fifteen kidney transplant patients and 10 healthy subjects were recruited in this case-control prospective study. Fecal samples were taken sequentially from all patients before kidney transplantation, 1 week, and 1 month after it. The relative frequency of Lactobacillus spp., Bifidobacterium spp., Akkermansia muciniphila, Bacteroides fragilis, Escherichia coli, and Faecalibacterium pruasnitzii were determined through quantitative PCR. The obtained data was statistically analyzed by Stata software (Stata Corporation, USA). RESULTS: The mean log number of all bacteria was significantly higher in healthy individuals than kidney transplant recipients (p < 0.001) except for Lactobacillus where the mean levels were almost identical in the two groups (p = 0.67). Moreover, 20% (3) of patients developed a urinary tract infection. Besides, 2 (13.33%) patients were diagnosed with delayed graft function. There were no statistically significant differences regarding changing trends in bacteria log number of Akkermansia muciniphila (p = 0.12), Bacteroid fragilis (p = 0.75), Bifidobacterium (p = 0.99), Escherichia coli (p = 0.5), Faecalibacterium (p = 0.98), and Lactobacilli (p = 0.93) between patients with and without delayed graft function (DGF). CONCLUSION: Gut microbiota composition in patients with ESRD was significantly different from those without it. However, the microbiota profile did not significantly differ in patients with and without DGF.

Does Severity of Donor Acute Kidney Injury Influence Outcomes Following Kidney Transplantation?

INTRODUCTION: The study purpose was to review retrospectively our single-center experience transplanting kidneys from deceased donors (DD) with acute kidney injury (AKI) according to terminal serum creatinine (tSCr) level. METHODS: AKI kidneys were defined by a doubling of the DD's admission SCr and a tSCr ≥ 2.0 mg/dL. RESULTS: From 1/07 to 11/21, we transplanted 236 AKI DD kidneys, including 100 with a tSCr ≥ 3.0 mg/dL (high SCr AKI group, mean tSCr 4.2 mg/dL), and the remaining 136 from DDs with a tSCr of 2.0-2.99 mg/dL (lower SCr AKI group, mean tSCr 2.4 mg/dL). These two AKI groups were compared to 996 concurrent control patients receiving DD kidneys with a tSCr < 1.0 mg/dL. Mean follow-up was 69 months. Delayed graft function (DGF) rates were 51% versus 46% versus 29% (p < 0.0001), and 5-year patient and death-censored kidney graft survival rates were 96.8% versus 83.5% versus 82.2% (p = 0.002) and 86.7% versus 77.8% versus 78.8% (p = 0.18) in the high tSCr AKI versus lower tSCr AKI versus control groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a higher incidence of DGF, patients receiving kidneys from DDs with tSCr levels ≥3.0 mg/dL have acceptable medium-term outcomes compared to either AKI DDs with a lower tSCr or DDs with a tSCr < 1.0 mg/dL.

Delayed Graft Function After Kidney Transplantation: The Role of Residual Diuresis and Waste Products, as Oxalic Acid and Its Precursors.

Delayed graft function (DGF) after kidney transplantation heralds a worse prognosis. In patients with hyperoxaluria, the incidence of DGF is high. Oxalic acid is a waste product that accumulates when kidney function decreases. We hypothesize that residual diuresis and accumulated waste products influence the DGF incidence. Patients transplanted between 2018-2022 participated in the prospective cohort study. Pre-transplant concentrations of oxalic acid and its precursors were determined. Data on residual diuresis and other recipient, donor or transplant related variables were collected. 496 patients were included, 154 were not on dialysis. Oxalic acid, and glyoxylic acid, were above upper normal concentrations in 98.8%, and 100% of patients. Residual diuresis was ≤150 mL/min in 24% of patients. DGF occurred in 157 patients. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis demonstrated a significant influence of dialysis type, recipient BMI, donor type, age, and serum creatinine on the DGF risk. Residual diuresis and glycolic acid concentration were inversely proportionally related to this risk, glyoxylic acid directly proportionally. Results in the dialysis population showed the same results, but glyoxylic acid lacked significance. In conclusion, low residual diuresis is associated with increased DGF incidence. Possibly accumulated waste products also play a role. Pre-emptive transplantation may decrease the incidence of DGF.

Oxalate Nephropathy After Kidney Transplantation: Risk Factors and Outcomes of Two Phenotypes.

Describing risk factors and outcomes in kidney transplant recipients with oxalate nephropathy (ON) may help elucidate the pathogenesis and guide treatment strategies. We used a large single-center database to identify patients with ON and categorized them into delayed graft function with ON (DGF-ON) and late ON. Incidence density sampling was used to select controls. A total of 37 ON cases were diagnosed between 1/2011 and 1/2021. DGF-ON (n = 13) was diagnosed in 1.05% of the DGF population. Pancreatic atrophy on imaging (36.4% vs. 2.9%, p = 0.002) and gastric bypass history (7.7% vs. 0%; p = 0.06) were more common in DGF-ON than with controls with DGF requiring biopsy but without evidence of ON. DGF-ON was not associated with worse graft survival (p = 0.98) or death-censored graft survival (p = 0.48). Late ON (n = 24) was diagnosed after a mean of 78.2 months. Late ON patients were older (mean age 55.1 vs. 48.4 years; p = 0.02), more likely to be women (61.7% vs. 37.5%; p = 0.03), have gastric bypass history (8.3% vs. 0.8%; p = 0.02) and pancreatic atrophy on imaging (38.9% vs. 13.3%; p = 0.02). Late ON was associated with an increased risk of graft failure (HR 2.0; p = 0.07) and death-censored graft loss (HR 2.5; p = 0.10). We describe two phenotypes of ON after kidney transplantation: DGF-ON and late ON. Our study is the first to our knowledge to evaluate DGF-ON with DGF controls without ON. Although limited by small sample size, DGF-ON was not associated with adverse outcomes when compared with controls. Late ON predicted worse allograft outcomes.

Urine-derived renal epithelial cells isolated after kidney transplant are sensitive to neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin exposure during in vitro culture.

Urine-derived renal epithelial cells (URECs) are highly voided after kidney transplant and express typical kidney markers, including markers of kidney epithelial progenitor cells. Recently URECs have shown promising immunomodulatory properties when cultured with Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs), promoting an increase in the T regulatory cells. In vivo, kidney cells are highly exposed to damage associated molecules during both acute and chronic kidney injury. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is one of the most -known early marker of acute and chronic kidney damage. However, its role on the evolution of renal damage has not yet been fully described, nor has its impact on the characteristics of renal-derived cells during in vitro culture. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of NGAL on the characteristics of URECs isolated after kidney transplant, by exposing these cells to the treatment with NGAL during in vitro culture and evaluating its effect on UREC viability, proliferation, and immunomodulatory potential. The exposure of URECs to NGAL reduced their viability and proliferative capacity, promoting the onset of apoptosis. The immunomodulatory properties of URECs were partially inhibited by NGAL, without affecting the increase of Treg cells observed during UREC-PBMCs coculture. These results suggest that the exposure to NGAL may compromise some features of kidney stem and specialized cell types, reducing their viability, increasing apoptosis, and partially altering their immunomodulatory properties. Thus, NGAL could represent a target for approaches acting on its inhibition or reduction to improve functional recovery.

The effect of remote ischemic conditioning on mortality after kidney transplantation: the systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Ischemic-reperfusion injury resulting from kidney transplantation declines the post-transplant graft function. Remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) is known to be able to reduce the criticality of ischemic reperfusion injury. This study aimed to meta-analyze whether the application of remote ischemic conditioning to kidney transplantation patients improves clinical outcomes. METHODS: Researchers included randomized controlled studies of the application of RIC to either kidney donors or recipients. Articles were retrieved from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. The risk of bias was evaluated using RoB 2.0. The primary outcome was mortality after transplantation. Secondary outcomes were the incidence of delayed graft function, graft rejection, and post-transplant laboratory results. All outcomes were integrated by RevMan 5.4.1. RESULTS: Out of 90 papers, 10 articles (8 studies, 1977 patients) were suitable for inclusion criteria. Mortality collected at all time points did not show a significant difference between the groups. Three-month mortality (RR, 3.11; 95% CI, 0.13-75.51, P = 0.49) tended to increase in the RIC group, but 12-month (RR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.14-3.45, P = 0.67) or final-reported mortality (RR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.23-1.06, P = 0.07) was higher in the sham group than the RIC group. There was no significant difference between the RIC and sham group in delayed graft function (RR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.30-1.35, P = 0.24), graft rejection (RR, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.73-1.73, P = 0.59), and the rate of time required for a 50% reduction in baseline serum creatinine concentration of less than 24 h (RR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.61-1.56, P = 0.93). CONCLUSIONS: It could not be concluded that the application of RIC is beneficial to kidney transplantation patients. However, it is noteworthy that long-term mortality tended to decrease in the RIC group. Since there were many limitations due to the small number of included articles, researchers hope that large-scale randomized controlled trials will be included in the future. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42022336565.

Prediction of delayed graft function by early salivary microbiota following kidney transplantation.

Delayed graft function (DGF) is a frequently observed complication following kidney transplantation (KT). Our prior research revealed dynamic shifts in salivary microbiota post-KT with immediate graft function (IGF), yet its behavior during DGF remains unexplored. Five recipients with DGF and 35 recipients with IGF were enrolled. Saliva samples were collected during the perioperative period, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed. The salivary microbiota of IGFs changed significantly and gradually stabilized with the recovery of renal function. The salivary microbiota composition of DGFs was significantly different from that of IGFs, although the trend of variation appeared to be similar to that of IGFs. Salivary microbiota that differed significantly between patients with DGF and IGF at 1 day after transplantation were able to accurately distinguish the two groups in the randomForest algorithm (accuracy = 0.8333, sensitivity = 0.7778, specificity = 1, and area under curve = 0.85), with Selenomonas playing an important role. Bacteroidales (Spearman's r = - 0.4872 and p = 0.0293) and Veillonella (Spearmen's r = - 0.5474 and p = 0.0125) were significantly associated with the serum creatinine in DGF patients. Moreover, the significant differences in overall salivary microbiota structure between DGF and IGF patients disappeared upon long-term follow-up. This is the first study to investigate the dynamic changes in salivary microbiota in DGFs. Our findings suggested that salivary microbiota was able to predict DGF in the early stages after kidney transplantation, which might help the perioperative clinical management and early-stage intervention of kidney transplant recipients. KEY POINTS: • Salivary microbiota on the first day after KT could predict DGF. • Alterations in salivary taxa after KT are related to recovery of renal function.

Donor Conditioning and Organ Pre-Treatment Prior to Kidney Transplantation: Reappraisal of the Available Clinical Evidence.

Therapeutic measures aimed at optimising organ function prior to transplantation-whether by conditioning the donor after determination of brain death or by improving organ preservation after kidney removal-have the potential to enhance outcomes after transplantation. The particular advantage is that, unlike any optimised immunosuppressive therapy, a favourable effect can be achieved without side effects for the organ recipient. In recent years, several such measures have been tested in controlled clinical trials on large patient cohorts following kidney transplantation. Hypothermic pulsatile machine perfusion, in particular, has become the focus of interest, but interventions in the donor prior to organ removal, such as the administration of low-dose dopamine until the start of cold perfusion as an example of conditioning antioxidant therapy and therapeutic donor hypothermia in the intensive care unit after brain death confirmation, have also significantly reduced the frequency of dialysis after transplantation with far less effort and cost. With regard to benefits for graft survival, the database for all procedures is less clear and controversial. The aim of this review article is to re-evaluate the available clinical evidence from large multicentre controlled trials, which have also significantly influenced later meta-analyses, and to assess the significance for use in routine clinical practice.