From combined heart-kidney to kidney transplantation program: what nephrologists should know about dilated cardiomyopathy.

A 42-year-old hemodialysis (HD) patient was investigated in our department for symptomatic heart failure (HF) despite daily home dialysis. He had a history of living donor kidney transplantation at the age of 18 that lasted 7 years. Home dialysis was then started. At the age of 40, he developed acute heart failure symptoms. Echocardiography revealed severe dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Coronarography and myocardial perfusion scintigraphy showed no abnormal findings. Betablockers were administrated, and RAAS inhibitor dosing was optimized. Dyspnea persisted, and patient was referred to our department. At admission, blood pressure was 116/82 mmHg, and pulse 68 beats/min. No peripheral edema was observed. Dry weight was 62.5 kg. Patient was anuric. Hemoglobin level was 9.8 g/dl, highly sensitive troponin level was 62 ng/ml, and BNP level was 1527 ng/ml. The liver enzyme levels were normal. C-reactive protein was 4.2 mg/ml. Vitamin level, zinc levels, and thyroid function were normal.

From combined heart-kidney to kidney transplantation program: What nephrologists should know about dilated cardiomyopathy.

A 42-year-old hemodialysis (HD) patient was investigated in our department for symptomatic heart failure (HF) despite daily home dialysis. He had a history of living donor kidney transplantation at the age of 18 that lasted 7 years. Home dialysis was then started. At the age of 40, he developed acute heart failure symptoms. Echocardiography revealed severe dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Coronarography and myocardial perfusion scintigraphy showed no abnormal findings. Betablockers were administrated and RAAS inhibitor dosing was optimized. Dyspnea persisted and patient was referred to our department. At admission, blood pressure was 116/82 mmHg, and pulse 68 beats/min. No peripheral edema was observed. Dry weight was 62.5 kg. Patient was anuric. Hemoglobin level was 9.8 g/dl, highly sensitive troponin level was 62 ng/ml and BNP level 1527 ng/ml. The liver enzymes levels as were normal. C-reactive protein was 4.2 mg/ml. Vitamin level, zinc levels and thyroid function were normal.

Psychosocial risk factors for impaired health-related quality of life in living kidney donors: results from the ELIPSY prospective study.

Living kidney donors' follow-up is usually focused on the assessment of the surgical and medical outcomes. Whilst the psychosocial follow-up is advocated in literature. It is still not entirely clear which exact psychosocial factors are related to a poor psychosocial outcome of donors. The aim of our study is to prospectively assess the donors' psychosocial risks factors to impaired health-related quality of life at 1-year post-donation and link their psychosocial profile before donation with their respective outcomes. The influence of the recipient's medical outcomes on their donor's psychosocial outcome was also examined. Sixty donors completed a battery of standardized psychometric instruments (quality of life, mental health, coping strategies, personality, socio-economic status), and ad hoc items regarding the donation process (e.g., motivations for donation, decision-making, risk assessment, and donor-recipient relationship). Donors' 1-year psychosocial follow-up was favorable and comparable with the general population. So far, cluster-analysis identified a subgroup of donors (28%) with a post-donation reduction of their health-related quality of life. This subgroup expressed comparatively to the rest, the need for more pre-donation information regarding surgery risks, and elevated fear of losing the recipient and commitment to stop their suffering.

[Kidney transplantation epidemiology in France]. / Épidémiologie de la transplantation rénale en France.

Kidney transplantation activity in France is among the most important worldwide: in 2011, 2976 transplants have been performed (47.5 per million population), and the number of patients living with a functional graft is estimated around 30,000, representing 44.7% of all patients (n = 67,270) treated for end-stage renal failure. However, the rate of preemptive kidney transplants remains very low, only 3.3% of incident patients starting renal replacement therapy. The analysis of demand showed a progressive increase in recent years, as demonstrated by the registration rate on the kidney transplantation waiting list, increasing by 5% yearly between 2006 and 2010, but with huge differences according to age categories and regional registration areas, reflecting discrepant appreciations in indications for kidney transplantation. The median waiting time between registration and transplantation increased progressively in recent years, reaching 22.3 months with considerable variations according to regional areas and transplantation teams. Kidney transplantation activity, while increasing continuously, is far to cover the rising demand, and inexorably patients accumulate on the waiting list (around 9000 patients were registered by January 2012). This situation is the consequence of insufficient organ procurement activity. The deceased organ procurement rate remained high: 1572 harvested donors in 2011 (24.1 per million population), but the proportion of older donors rose in recent years, to reach the rate of 26% of donors older than 65 years in 2011. The procurement activity of donors after cardiac arrest was reintroduced in 2006, but increased slowly: 65 transplants were performed in 2011 using kidney procured in non heart-beating donors. The living donor kidney transplantation activity has markedly increased recently: 302 living donor transplantations were performed in 2011, representing 10.1% of the kidney transplantations. Facing the predictable increase in the number of candidates, all efforts should be put together, by increasing the living donor transplantation activity and by supporting and promoting the deceased donor procurement activity.

Post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorder after kidney transplantation: report of a nationwide French registry and the development of a new prognostic score.

PURPOSE: Post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is associated with significant mortality in kidney transplant recipients. We conducted a prospective survey of the occurrence of PTLD in a French nationwide population of adult kidney recipients over 10 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A French registry was established to cover a nationwide population of transplant recipients and prospectively enroll all adult kidney recipients who developed PTLD between January 1, 1998, and December 31, 2007. Five hundred patient cases of PTLD were referred to the French registry. The prognostic factors for PTLD were investigated using Kaplan-Meier and Cox analyses. RESULTS: Patients with PTLD had a 5-year survival rate of 53% and 10-year survival rate of 45%. Multivariable analyses revealed that age > 55 years, serum creatinine level > 133 µmol/L, elevated lactate dehydrogenase levels, disseminated lymphoma, brain localization, invasion of serous membranes, monomorphic PTLD, and T-cell PTLD were independent prognostic indicators of poor survival. Considering five variables at diagnosis (age, serum creatinine, lactate dehydrogenase, PTLD localization, and histology), we constructed a prognostic score that classified patients with PTLD as being at low, moderate, high, or very high risk for death. The 10-year survival rate was 85% for low-, 80% for moderate-, 56% for high-, and 0% for very high-risk recipients. CONCLUSION: This nationwide study highlights the prognostic factors for PTLD and enables the development of a new prognostic score. After validation in an independent cohort, the use of this score should allow treatment strategies to be better tailored to individual patients in the future.

Posttransplant major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related gene A antibodies and long-term graft outcomes in a multicenter cohort of 779 kidney transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: The impact of major histocompatibility class I chain-related A (MICA) antibodies on renal graft outcomes is unclear. The goal of this work was to assess the impact of posttransplant MICA antibodies, assayed at 1 year, with two commercially available kits, on long-term renal graft outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively tested sera from 779 kidney transplant recipients with two single-antigen flow bead assays 1 year after transplantation. Samples were considered positive for MICA if they were positive in both tests or positive for MICA specificities that were present in one kit only. The main outcome was 4-year death-censored graft survival. RESULTS: The prevalence of MICA antibodies was 5.4% at 1 year. MICA+ patients were more frequently human leukocyte antigen (HLA) sensitized and regrafted. Four-year death-censored graft survival was not different between MICA+ and MICA- patients (97% vs. 94%, P=0.28). By Cox multivariate analysis, independent risk factors for graft loss were as follows: number of HLA DR mismatches, acute rejection within the first year posttransplantation, 1-year serum creatinine, and the presence of HLA antibodies at 1 year, but not the presence of MICA antibodies. CONCLUSIONS: These data do not support an independent pathogenic role for MICA in long-term renal graft injury and question the interest of posttransplant monitoring of MICA antibodies with single-antigen flow bead assays currently available.

Systemic and kidney toxicity of intraocular administration of vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors.

Intravenous injection of angiogenesis-inhibitor drugs is used widely to treat cancers. Associated renal complications primarily involve proteinuria and hypertension, and thrombotic microangiopathies also have been described. Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy currently is used by ophthalmologists to treat neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration. However, there is some evidence that intravitreal anti-VEGF injections may result in systemic absorption, with the potential for injury in organs that are reliant on VEGF, such as the kidney. We report the first case to our knowledge of a patient who developed an acute decrease in kidney function, nonimmune microangiopathic hemolytic anemia with schistocytes, and thrombocytopenia after 4 intravitreal injections of ranibizumab. Light microscopy of a kidney biopsy specimen showed segmental duplications of glomerular basement membranes with endothelial swelling and several recanalized arteriolar thrombi. Because of the increasing use of intravitreal anti-VEGF agents, ophthalmologists and nephrologists should be aware of the associated risk of kidney disease. Early detection is crucial so that intravitreal injections can be stopped before severe kidney disease occurs.

[Living-donor kidney transplantation in the European countries and in North America (2001-2009)]. / Comparaison de l'activité de greffe rénale à partir de donneur vivant en Europe et en Amérique du Nord (2001-2009).

In front of kidney transplants shortage, the alternative of living donor renal transplantation is discussed. The purpose of this work is to compare, in 16 European countries and of North America having a consequent activity, the levels of living donor renal transplantation activities and their possible impact on kidney shortage, usually reported in a fragmented and punctual way. In 2009 and in spite of a light growth, the French rate of 3,5 living donor kidney transplantation per million people (pmp) was one of the weakest just before Italy and Finland. Numerous countries exceeded the rate of 14 pmp. Others as Spain and Portugal know a regular growth while their transplant activity was mainly based on brain dead donor. This growth is also observed in Germany and in Austria. France, in spite of an increase of kidney transplantation activity, had a high level of kidney shortage (2,7 patients registered on the waiting list in 2009 for one kidney transplant) before Italy which has low rate of living kidney transplant activity, Portugal, with a recent growth of transplant activity, but also the United States with high incidence of end stage renal disease and the United Kingdom which has a low rate of brain dead donors. For these last ones, France have one of the highest rates but it seems to reach a ceiling for 3 years. This report should lead a real strategy of the transplant from kidney living donor with a support for the healthcare professionals, the information of the general public, the patients and their family.

20-year follow-up results of a randomized controlled trial comparing antilymphocyte globulin induction to no induction in renal transplant patients.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of antilymphocyte globulin (ALG)-induction on long-term outcomes of postrenal transplantation. METHODS: Between January 1985 and January 1986, 123 consecutive renal transplants from deceased donors were performed at a single institution. Patients were randomized into two groups: group 1 (n=63, 40+/-10 year) received cyclosporine (CsA), prednisone, and azathioprine; and group 2 (n=60, 36+/-9 year) received ALG-induction, CsA, and prednisone and delayed initiation (45-90 days posttransplantation) of azathioprine if the CsA dose was less than 4 mg/kg per day. Target CsA trough levels were 150 to 250 ng/mL. Cytomegalovirus prophylaxis was not used. Human leukocyte antigen matching (2.4+/-1.1 vs. 2.6+/-1.2) and cold ischemia time (38+/-8 hr vs. 39+/-9 hr) did not differ. RESULTS: The incidence of acute rejection was lower in group 2 (28% vs. 75%, P<0.0001). The incidence of cytomegalovirus infection was 10% in group 1 and 18% in group 2 (P=0.41). The incidence of cancer was 22.2% in group 1 and 11.7% in group 2 (P=0.53) and the incidence of lymphoma did not differ (3% vs. 5%, P=0.77). Patient and graft survival in groups 1 and 2 at 1, 10, and 20 years were 100%/79% vs. 100%/93%, 83%/56% vs. 88%/51%, and 64%/43% vs. 54%/47%, respectively (log-rank test, P=0.18 and P=0.078). CONCLUSION: The use of ALG-induction resulted in a lower incidence of acute rejection and improved graft survival during the first year postrenal transplantation. Patient and graft survival at 20-year follow-up was not affected by ALG-induction.

[Kidney transplantation]. / Greffe de rein.

Today, kidney transplantation is the treatment of choice for most patients with end-stage renal failure. However, because of the organ shortage, the limiting supply and increasing demand, needing transplants do not receive them. Chronic renal disease should be efficiently screened and prevented. On the other hand, all ways of using available organs, from living and deceased donors, including those with extended criteria are needed. Finally, strategies targeting factors involved in to chronic allograft nephropathy must be pursued in the effort to improve long-term outcomes after renal transplantation.

Analysis of skin cancer risk factors in immunosuppressed renal transplant patients shows high levels of UV-specific tandem CC to TT mutations of the p53 gene.

Immunosuppressed renal transplant recipients (RTRs) are predisposed to non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs), predominantly squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). We have analyzed skin lesions from RTRs with aggressive tumors for p53 gene modifications, the presence of Human Papillomas Virus (HPV) DNA in relation to the p53 codon 72 genotype and polymorphisms of the XPD repair gene. We detected 24 p53 mutations in 15/25 (60%) NMSCs, 1 deletion and 23 base substitutions, the majority (78%) being UV-specific C to T transitions at bipyrimidine sites. Importantly, 35% (6/17) are tandem mutations, including 4 UV signature CC to TT transitions possibly linked to modulated DNA repair caused by the immunosuppressive drug cyclosporin A (CsA). We found 8 p53 mutations in 7/17 (41%) precancerous actinic keratosis (AK), suggesting that p53 mutations are early events in RTR skin carcinogenesis. Immunohistochemical analysis shows a good correlation between p53 accumulation and mutations. HPV DNA was detected in 78% of skin lesions (60% Basal Cell Carcinomas, 82%AK and 79% SCCs). Thus, immunosuppression has increased the risk of infections by HPVs, predominantly epidermodysplasia verruciformis, speculated to play a role in skin cancer development. No association is found between HPV status and p53 mutation. Moreover, p53 codon 72 or frequencies of three XPD genotypes of RTRs are comparable with control populations. The p53 mutation spectrum, presenting a high level of CC to TT mutations, shows that the UV component of sunlight is the major risk factor and modulated DNA repair by immunosuppressive drug treatment may be significant in the skin carcinogenesis of RTRs.

High pulse pressure associated with cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes undergoing hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to examine systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and pulse pressure (PP) in patients with type 2 diabetes undergoing hemodialysis (HD), and to assess the relationships between these parameters and cardiovascular (CV) events such as coronary heart disease and congestive cardiac failure. METHODS: A total of 80 Afro-Caribbean type 2 diabetic patients undergoing hemodialysis in three centers in Guadeloupe, French West Indies, were included in this cross-sectional study. Pre- and postdialysis BP were recorded. Logistic regression methods and areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves were used. RESULTS: The mean age (+/- standard deviation) was 62.2 years (+/-10.2 years). A total of 24 subjects (30%) had one or more CV events. Sixteen (20%) had coronary disease, 15 (18.8%) cardiac failure, and seven (8.8%) had both. The medians [interquartile ranges] for predialysis PP was higher in patients with CV comorbidity than in patients without a history of CV at 84.5 mm Hg [74.5 to 92.3]v 69.5 mm Hg [61.0 to 79.5], P = .003. Areas under the ROC curves (95% confidence intervals) predialysis were significant only for SBP and PP at 0.70 (0.58 to 0.82) v 0.71 (0.59 to 0.83) without statistical differences. After adjustment for gender, age, body mass index, antihypertensive use, time on hemodialysis (>or=2 years), and hemoglobin rate, the odds ratio was significant only predialysis, and a higher odds ratio was found for PP at 2.25 (1.22 to 4.18), P = .01, than for SBP 1.97 (1.12 to 3.49), P = .02. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the strongest association of PP with CV morbidities should be considered in therapeutic strategies. These results show the necessity of targeting antihypertensive treatment to patients' predialysis blood pressure values.

[The new French rules for the attribution of renal transplants]. / Les nouvelles règles de répartition des greffons rénaux en France.

The French rules for the attribution of a kidney transplant are regularly evaluated and modified according to scientific progress, evolution of the waiting list and of health policies. Modifications, initiated by the Transplantation Commission of the French-speaking Society of Nephrology, have been introduced in 2004 by the Etablissement français des Greffes and aim at decreasing the number of patients on the waiting list having difficult access to transplantation because of their immunogenetic characteristics (rare ABO or HLA group, HLA immunization). Four points are concerned: 1/ better definition of hyperimmunisation; 2/ introduction of a program based on "acceptable mismatches" as a new priority for hyperimmunized patients; 3/ suppression of the full-match priority to non-immunized patients; 4/ attribution to immunized patients (anti-HLA antibodies=5-80%) who have difficult access to a transplant, of priorities similar to those followed for hyperimmunized patients. This article presents the new rules for the allocation of a kidney transplant and the rationale for the current modifications.

Living with a functioning kidney transplant at 74 yr or older: a national epidemiological study.

The number of older patients living with a functioning kidney graft is increasing. However the safety of the immunosuppressive treatment and quality of life in this population have not yet been determined. All patients grafted in France since 1969, born before the January 1 1926 and living with a functioning graft on January 1 2000 were included in this national study including all 34 French transplant centers. Renal function, immunosuppressive treatment, comorbid conditions and quality of life were assessed. From the initial population of 446 patients, 113 (26.2%) were still alive in 2000 (study population). Mean age was 76 yr (range: 74-80) with a mean post-transplant follow-up of 9.9 yr (0.1-28.7). Average serum creatinine level was 129 micromol/L (55-286). Immunosuppression was heterogeneous and included triple therapy (18.6%), dual therapy (41.6%) and monotherapy (40.8%). A history of cancer was noted in 36 of the 113 patients (32.1%) whereas hypertension was the most frequent co-morbid condition (80.3%). Estimated quality of life using the Karnofsky scale was between 80 and 100 in 78.4% of the patients. The immunosuppressive regimen in older renal transplant recipients living with a functioning graft varied widely among the 34 French transplant centers. Renal function in this group of patients was good and quality of life seemed excellent. Cardiovascular disease and malignancies were the main co-morbid conditions.

The case to abandon human leukocyte antigen matching for kidney allocation: would it be wise to throw out the baby with the bathwater?

Since major histocompatibility (MHC) antigen matching was introduced in the early 1970s as the key factor determining kidney transplant allocation, several studies, mainly arising from organ-sharing organizations in the United States and Europe, have debated this complex issue. The first fundamental concern is the interaction of human leukocyte antigen matching with other transplant outcome risk factors, for example, prolongation of ischemia and matching for age. Much concordant data advocate restraining MHC antigen-based allocation in terms of space and time limits. The second fundamental concern is the balancing of the advantages of better antigen matching in terms of improved graft survival and the improved transplantation rate in immunologically high-risk patients with the major drawback of inequitable access for ethnic minorities and patients with rare MHC haplotypes. These issues have led to considering renewed kidney allocation rules, discarding human leukocyte antigen matching from algorithms, or modifying the specificity allocation level by using cross-reactive group matching or class II MHC antigen matching. The evolving concepts in the field of histocompatibility support the need for periodically updated, flexible, and hybrid allocation systems, as designed in France by the Etablissement français des Greffes.

Quality of life in adult survivors beyond 10 years after liver, kidney, and heart transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The yearly increasing survival rates testify to the success of transplantation, but questions remain relating to the quality of life (QOL) associated with long-term survival. METHODS: A sample of 126 liver recipients (Liver-R), 229 kidney recipients (Kidney-R), and 113 heart recipients (Heart-R) with more than 10 years posttransplant follow-up were included in the study with a response rate of 86%. Respondents were matched with healthy subjects recruited from general population (GP). The three groups of recipients and GP subjects completed a French version of the questionnaire used by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease, Pittsburgh, PA, and were compared for each score, with adjustments for age and sex. RESULTS: Personal function and measures of disease by the transplant recipients were significantly worse than in the GP (P<0.0001), with the worst score in Kidney-R. No difference, either between organs or between organs and GP, was found regarding the perceived social and role function. However, for psychologic status and general health perception, Kidney-R had the least favorable performance when compared with GP (P<0.01) and also when compared with Liver-R (P<0.05). With the exception of Kidney-R, the well-being index of Liver-R and Heart-R was significantly better than the GP (P<0.001 and P<0.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The QOL beyond 10 years after liver, heart, and kidney transplantation is quite similar to the GP, with Kidney-R starting out as the worst, Heart-R as intermediate, and Liver-R the best.

[Kidney grafts from elderly donors]. / La greffe des reins à partir de donneurs âgés.

FROM AN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL POINT OF VIEW: The epidemiology of renal transplantation had greatly changed over the past 10 years. The increasing number of patients with renal failure and candidates for transplantation increases the demand for grafts, whereas the sampling rate of organs remains stable. The mean age of the donors is rising, hence underlining the question of the use of organs of so-called "borderline" quality. THE WEAK POINTS OF ELDERLY GRAFTS: Aging of the kidneys affects the structure of the parenchyma and renal function, which decreases, notably in hypertensive persons. The elderly graft exhibits a critical mass of nephrons that is insufficient to fulfil the functional requirements of a poorly equipped recipient. The recipient is more sensitive to the added agressions: prolonged ischemia and immunological and medicinal agressions. THE RESULTS OF RENAL GRAFT FROM ELDERLY DONORS: They are quantitatively and qualitatively inferior to those of renal transplants from "ideal" donors. The donor's age is a significant factor influencing negatively influences the survival of the transplanted kidney, but dependent on past vascular history. Good results regarding the maintenance of dialysis are obtained by selecting the donors and by avoiding added risk factors. THE ASSESSMENT OF A GRAFT FROM AN ELDERLY DONOR: This, basically, relies on clinical criteria: donor's history, cause of death and accurate measurement of the renal function. A biopsy of the graft, at the time of sampling, provides useful information. TRANSPLANTATION STRATEGY OF A GRAFT FROM AN ELDERLY DONOR: Donor-recipient matching by age is a common approach. Grafting of both kidneys in the same recipient is a method presently under assessment. The episode of ischemia must be reduced and the immunosuppressive therapy adapted.

Multivariate analysis of donor risk factors for graft survival in kidney transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The results of the transplantation of marginal donor kidneys remain controversial. This study aimed to investigate the impact of donor risk factors as predictors of kidney-graft outcome. METHODS: Allograft failure risk factors were studied in 7,209 cadaveric kidney-transplant recipients reporting to the Etablissement français des Greffes (EfG) from 1996 to 2000, of which 544 (7.6%) were from donors aged over 60. Both univariate and multivariate analysis were used to assess the effect of donor risk factors and were stratified according to recipient age. RESULTS: Overall graft survival was 91.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 90.5-91.8) at 1 year, 88.6% (95% CI 87.8-89.4) at 2 years, and 85.6% (95% CI 84.6-86.6) at 3 years posttransplant. Univariate analysis of risk factors showed a significant reduction of graft survival in recipients transplanted with kidneys coming from donors older than 60 years, donors with a history of hypertension, a cerebrovascular cause of death, and a preharvesting serum creatinine greater than 150 micromol/L. Multivariate analysis revealed significantly higher failure rate associated with cerebrovascular cause of death (RR=1.2, P=0.02), history of hypertension (RR=1.2, P=0.04), and elevated serum creatinine (RR=1.3, P=0.03), whereas donor age greater than 60 years was not found as an independent risk factor. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that cerebrovascular cause of death, history of hypertension, and elevated creatinine are significant independent donor risk factors for graft survival, whereas donor age is a statistically significant, but dependent, risk factor. This result is important for the design of allocation and transplantation strategies for kidneys procured in elderly donors.

Prognostic value of quantitative Kaposi sarcoma--associated herpesvirus load in posttransplantation Kaposi sarcoma.

Organ transplant recipients have a higher risk of Kaposi sarcoma (KS). A quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assay was developed to evaluate KS-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) as a prognostic tool in transplant recipients with KS. Forty-three patients who developed KS after transplantation were included in a cross-sectional study to correlate virus load with transplantation or KS parameters. Seventeen patients (40%) had KSHV viremia (>100 copies/microg of DNA; median, 6067 copies/microg of DNA). Factors associated with these levels of viremia by univariate analysis were progression of KS (P=.00002), time from KS diagnosis (P=.0007), actual stage of KS (P=.006), initial stage of KS (P=.22), graft loss (P=.013), and time from transplantation (P=.0246). Disease progression remained associated with KSHV viremia in a multivariate analysis (P=.01). Thus, quantification of KSHV load in peripheral blood mononuclear cells could represent a useful tool for monitoring transplant recipients with KS.