Serologic Profile of Donors In Argentina.

BACKGROUND: Constructing serologic profiles of donors is the first step in establishing traceability in the donation and transplant process. These data allow us to implement various strategies to enhance the recipients' quality of care. We present the serologic profiles of donors in Argentina between 2017 and 2021. METHODS: Donation processes initiated in 2017 to 2021 and registered in the National Information System of Procurement and Transplantation of the Argentine Republic were selected. The presence of complete serologic studies was considered an inclusion criterion. The serologic variables for viruses included HIV, human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Those for bacteria included Treponema pallidum and the genus Brucella, and those for parasites included Trypanosoma cruzi and Toxoplasma gondii. RESULTS: A total of 18,242 processes were initiated in the period 2017 to 2021. A total of 6015 processes had documented complete serologic studies. Most donors came from 2 jurisdictions: Buenos Aires (27.72%) and CABA (15.13%). Cytomegalovirus (84.70%) and T. gondii (40.94%) were the most prevalent serologies. We identified 0.25% reactive serologies for HIV, 0.24% for HTLV, 0.79% for HCV, and 2.49% for T. pallidum. In reference to HBV markers, 0.19% of donors presented Ag HBs, and the Ac HBc + Ac HBs association was observed in 2.31% of donors. Reactive serology for brucellosis was demonstrated in 1.11% of donors. Reactive serology for Chagas disease was found in 0.9% of donors. CONCLUSIONS: Given the wide variation in seroprevalence in the different jurisdictions of the country, the jurisdictional and national levels of government should be responsible for monitoring changes in behavior that require modification of selection and prevention strategies.

[COVID-19 infection in chronic dialysis patients in Argentina]. / Infección por COVID-19 en pacientes en diálisis crónica en Argentina.

The report of the preliminary data of the Argentine Registry of COVID in chronic dialysis is presented, from April 10, 2020 to April 9, 2021 and includes all dialysis centers in the country. In the study period, 36 918 prevalent patients on chronic dialysis were registered. COVID-19 infection was confirmed in 3709 patients (10% of prevalent patients), of which 1675 patients (45.2%) required hospitalization, and of these, 39% (550 patients) required ICU admission. 62% of those admitted to the ICU (339 patients) required mechanical ventilation (MV). 1307 patients died (35.24%). Multivariate analysis showed as factors associated with mortality from COVID in dialysis patients, age greater than 60 years (OR 2.6; 95% CI 2.2-3.1); diabetes (OR 1.5; 95% CI 1.3-1.8); time on dialysis greater than 55 months (OR 1.5; 95% CI 1.2-1.7); cerebrovascular disease (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.1-2.3); neoplasia (OR 1.7; 95% CI 1.1-2.6); hospitalization requirement (OR 3.4; 95% CI 2.8-3.9); ICU admission (OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.3-2.5); need of MV (OR 11.8; 95% CI 6.9-20.2). The population on chronic dialysis in Argentina, as shown in the rest of the world, is highly vulnerable to COVID infection, showing a lethality 12 times higher than the general population. The measures implemented in dialysis units, patient care and their family environment, and above all priority vaccination are essential in this vulnerable population of patients.

Se presentan los datos preliminares del Registro Argentino de COVID en diálisis crónica, desde el 10 de abril de 2020 al 9 de abril 2021 que incluye todos los centros de diálisis crónica del país. En el período de estudio se registraron 36 918 pacientes prevalentes en diálisis crónica. La infección por COVID-19 fue confirmada en 3709 pacientes (10% prevalentes), de los cuales 1675 (45.2%) requirieron internación, y de éstos el 39% (550) internación en UTI. El 62% de los ingresados a UTI (339) requirió asistencia respiratoria mecánica (ARM). Fallecieron 1307 pacientes (35.24 %). El análisis multivariado, mostró como factores asociados a mortalidad por COVID en diálisis crónica, la edad mayor a 60 años (OR 2.6; IC 95% 2.2-3.1); la diabetes (OR 1.5; IC 95% 1.3-1.8); tiempo en diálisis mayor a 55 meses (OR 1.5; IC 95% 1.2-1.7); enfermedad cerebrovascular OR 1.6; IC 95% 1.1-2.3); neoplasia (OR 1.7; IC 95% 1.1-2.6); requerimiento de internación (OR 3.4; IC 95% 2.8-3.9); internación en UTI (OR 1.8; IC 95% 1.3-2.5); necesidad de ARM (OR 11.8; IC 95% 6.9-20.2). La población en diálisis crónica en Argentina, como se muestra en el resto del mundo, es altamente vulnerable a la infección COVID, mostrando una letalidad 12 veces mayor que la población general. Las medidas implementadas en las unidades de diálisis, los cuidados de los pacientes y su entorno familiar, y por sobre todo la vacunación prioritaria, son fundamentales en esta población vulnerable de pacientes.

COVID-19 pandemic and worldwide organ transplantation: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Preliminary data suggest that COVID-19 has reduced access to solid organ transplantation. However, the global consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on transplantation rates and the effect on waitlisted patients have not been reported. We aimed to assess the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on transplantation and investigate if the pandemic was associated with heterogeneous adaptation in terms of organ transplantation, with ensuing consequences for waitlisted patients. METHODS: In this population-based, observational, before-and-after study, we collected and validated nationwide cohorts of consecutive kidney, liver, lung, and heart transplants from 22 countries. Data were collected from Jan 1 to Dec 31, 2020, along with data from the same period in 2019. The analysis was done from the onset of the 100th cumulative COVID-19 case through to Dec 31, 2020. We assessed the effect of the pandemic on the worldwide organ transplantation rate and the disparity in transplant numbers within each country. We estimated the number of waitlisted patient life-years lost due to the negative effects of the pandemic. The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04416256. FINDINGS: Transplant activity in all countries studied showed an overall decrease during the pandemic. Kidney transplantation was the most affected, followed by lung, liver, and heart. We identified three organ transplant rate patterns, as follows: countries with a sharp decrease in transplantation rate with a low COVID-19-related death rate; countries with a moderate decrease in transplantation rate with a moderate COVID-19-related death rate; and countries with a slight decrease in transplantation rate despite a high COVID-19-related death rate. Temporal trends revealed a marked worldwide reduction in transplant activity during the first 3 months of the pandemic, with losses stabilising after June, 2020, but decreasing again from October to December, 2020. The overall reduction in transplants during the observation time period translated to 48 239 waitlisted patient life-years lost. INTERPRETATION: We quantified the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on worldwide organ transplantation activity and revealed heterogeneous adaptation in terms of organ transplantation, both at national levels and within countries, with detrimental consequences for waitlisted patients. Understanding how different countries and health-care systems responded to COVID-19-related challenges could facilitate improved pandemic preparedness, notably, how to safely maintain transplant programmes, both with immediate and non-immediate life-saving potential, to prevent loss of patient life-years. FUNDING: French national research agency (INSERM) ATIP Avenir and Fondation Bettencourt Schueller.

Infección por COVID-19 en pacientes en diálisis crónica en Argentina / COVID-19 infection in chronic dialysis patients in Argentina

Resumen Se presentan los datos preliminares del Registro Argentino de COVID en diálisis crónica, desde el 10 de abril de 2020 al 9 de abril 2021 que incluye todos los centros de diálisis crónica del país. En el período de estudio se registraron 36 918 pacientes prevalentes en diálisis crónica. La infección por COVID-19 fue confirmada en 3709 pacientes (10% prevalentes), de los cuales 1675 (45.2%) requirieron internación, y de éstos el 39% (550) internación en UTI. El 62% de los ingresados a UTI (339) requirió asistencia respiratoria me cánica (ARM). Fallecieron 1307 pacientes (35.24 %). El análisis multivariado, mostró como factores asociados a mortalidad por COVID en diálisis crónica, la edad mayor a 60 años (OR 2.6; IC 95% 2.2-3.1); la diabetes (OR 1.5; IC 95% 1.3-1.8); tiempo en diálisis mayor a 55 meses (OR 1.5; IC 95% 1.2-1.7); enfermedad cerebrovascular OR 1.6; IC 95% 1.1-2.3); neoplasia (OR 1.7; IC 95% 1.1-2.6); requerimiento de internación (OR 3.4; IC 95% 2.8-3.9); internación en UTI (OR 1.8; IC 95% 1.3-2.5); necesidad de ARM (OR 11.8; IC 95% 6.9-20.2). La población en diálisis crónica en Argentina, como se muestra en el resto del mundo, es altamente vulnerable a la infección COVID, mostrando una letalidad 12 veces mayor que la población general. Las medidas implementadas en las unidades de diálisis, los cuidados de los pacientes y su entorno familiar, y por sobre todo la vacunación prioritaria, son fundamentales en esta población vulnerable de pacientes.

Abstract The report of the preliminary data of the Argentine Registry of COVID in chronic dialysis is presented, from April 10, 2020 to April 9, 2021 and includes all dialysis centers in the country. In the study period, 36 918 prevalent patients on chronic dialysis were registered. COVID-19 infection was confirmed in 3709 patients (10% of prevalent patients), of which 1675 patients (45.2%) required hospitalization, and of these, 39% (550 patients) required ICU admission. 62% of those admitted to the ICU (339 patients) required mechanical ventilation (MV). 1307 patients died (35.24%). Multivariate analysis showed as factors associated with mortality from COVID in dialysis patients, age greater than 60 years (OR 2.6; 95% CI 2.2-3.1); diabetes (OR 1.5; 95% CI 1.3-1.8); time on dialysis greater than 55 months (OR 1.5; 95% CI 1.2-1.7); cerebrovascular disease (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.1-2.3); neoplasia (OR 1.7; 95% CI 1.1-2.6); hospitalization requirement (OR 3.4; 95% CI 2.8-3.9); ICU admission (OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.3-2.5); need of MV (OR 11.8; 95% CI 6.9-20.2). The population on chronic dialysis in Argentina, as shown in the rest of the world, is highly vulnerable to COVID infection, showing a lethality 12 times higher than the general population. The measures implemented in dialysis units, patient care and their family environment, and above all priority vaccination are essential in this vulnerable population of patients.

Results after the adoption of a MELD/PELD-based liver allocation policy in Argentina.

In July 2005, Argentina switched from a categorical liver allocation system to a MELD/PELD-based policy for patients with CLD. To analyze WL outcomes and survival after LT in children. From January 2000 to December 2010, 923 children were registered. Two consecutive five-yr periods were analyzed and compared: Era I (January 2000-July 2005) (n = 379) and Era II (July 2005-December 31, 2010) (n = 544). All data were prospectively collected and analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. After adopting the MELD/PELD system, WL registrations increased by 44% (from 379 to 544) and the number of LT increased by only 24% (from 278 to 365). However, three-month WL mortality rate (32% to 18%, p < 0.0001, HR 2.002 CI 95% 1.5-2.8) decreased significantly. No significant differences were observed between Era 1 and II in one-yr post-LT survival (77.5% vs. 84.1%, p = 0.3053) and in acute re-LT rate (9% vs. 5%, p = 0.1746). Under the MELD/PELD-based allocation system in Argentina, mortality on the WL significantly decreased in children with CLD without affecting post-LT survival, although reduced access to LT was observed.

Improved waiting-list outcomes in Argentina after the adoption of a model for end-stage liver disease-based liver allocation policy.

In July 2005, Argentina became the first country after the United States to introduce the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) for organ allocation. In this study, we investigated waiting-list (WL) outcomes (n = 3272) and post-liver transplantation (LT) survival in 2 consecutive periods of 5 years before and after the implementation of a MELD-based allocation policy. Data were obtained from the database of the national institute for organ allocation in Argentina. After the adoption of the MELD system, there were significant reductions in WL mortality [28.5% versus 21.9%, P < 0.001, hazard ratio (HR) = 1.57, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.37-1.81] and total dropout rates (38.6% versus 29.1%, P < 0.001, HR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.16-1.48) despite significantly less LT accessibility (57.4% versus 50.7%, P < 0.001, HR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.39-1.68). The annual number of deaths per 1000 patient-years at risk decreased from 273 in 2005 to 173 in 2010, and the number of LT procedures per 1000 patient-years at risk decreased from 564 to 422. MELD and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease-Sodium scores were excellent predictors of 3-month WL mortality with c statistics of 0.828 and 0.857, respectively (P < 0.001). No difference was observed in 1-year posttransplant survival between the 2 periods (81.1% versus 81.3%). Although patients with a MELD score > 30 had lower posttransplant survival, the global accuracy of the score for predicting outcomes was poor, as indicated by a c statistic of only 0.523. Patients with granted MELD exceptions (158 for hepatocellular carcinoma and 52 for other reasons) had significantly higher access to LT (80.4%) in comparison with nonexception patients with equivalent listing priority (MELD score = 18-25; 54.6%, P < 0.001, HR = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.40-0.61). In conclusion, the adoption of the MELD model in Argentina has resulted in improved liver organ allocation without compromising posttransplant survival.

Could metabolic syndrome, lipodystrophy, and aging be mesenchymal stem cell exhaustion syndromes?

One of the most important and complex diseases of modern society is metabolic syndrome. This syndrome has not been completely understood, and therefore an effective treatment is not available yet. We propose a possible stem cell mechanism involved in the development of metabolic syndrome. This way of thinking lets us consider also other significant pathologies that could have similar etiopathogenic pathways, like lipodystrophic syndromes, progeria, and aging. All these clinical situations could be the consequence of a progressive and persistent stem cell exhaustion syndrome (SCES). The main outcome of this SCES would be an irreversible loss of the effective regenerative mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) pools. In this way, the normal repairing capacities of the organism could become inefficient. Our point of view could open the possibility for a new strategy of treatment in metabolic syndrome, lipodystrophic syndromes, progeria, and even aging: stem cell therapies.

Impact of regulations on tissue donation: mandatory referral of hospital deaths.

In Buenos Aires province, there has been surprisingly less tissue procurement activity following cardiac arrest than after brain-death cases. The purpose of this study was to analyse the impact of a regulation that made referral of all irreversible cardiac arrests mandatory to our organ procurement organisation. Data were collected from 7 hospitals in La Plata city during 7 months (from June 2000 to December 2000). The results showed that the regulation was effective because there was a striking increment of tissue procured following cardiac arrest during the analysed period, despite the low efficacy of the regulation (the referrals were 48% of the dead patients).