Outcomes of Kidney Transplantation in Older Recipients.

BACKGROUND Access to kidney transplantation is limited for elderly patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), who often die while on the waiting list or receive kidneys from marginal deceased donors. In our transplantation center, most donated kidneys were from younger living relatives, in whom donations to elderly outcomes were not previously studied. In this study, we aimed to determine the short- and long-term outcomes of patients aged ³65 years to justify the use of kidneys from younger donors in older recipients. We also compared the outcomes between those who received kidneys from living donors (LDs) and deceased donors (DDs). MATERIAL AND METHODS We analyzed the patients' demographic data and the 1-, 5-, and 10-year patient and graft survival rates of patients aged ≥65 years who received kidney transplants between January 2005 and December 2020. RESULTS Among 158 patients, 136 received kidneys from LD and 22 from DD. The mean age was 69 years old. In this cohort, the most common cause of ESRD was diabetes. The graft survival rates were 99%, 96%, and 94% after 1, 5, and 10 years, respectively. Patient survival was 94%, 83%, and 61% after 1, 5, and 10 years, respectively. Delayed graft function rates, 1-year patient survival, and 5- and 10-year graft survival rates were lower in the DD group. Ischemic heart disease and transplantation from DD were independent risk factors for mortality. CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrated reasonably good patient and graft survival rates in older patients. Outcomes were better in patients who received kidneys from LD.

Mpox Perceptions and Vaccine Advocacy among the Healthcare Workers of Solid Organ Transplant Centers: A Multicenter, Cross-Sectional Survey in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: In response to the global Mpox outbreaks, this survey aimed to assess the knowledge, perceptions, and advocacy of Mpox vaccines among solid organ transplant healthcare workers (HCWs) in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among solid organ transplant HCWs in Saudi Arabia from 15 August to 5 September 2022. A total of 199 responses were received from participants primarily working in the kidney (54.8%) and liver (14.6%) transplant units. RESULTS: The survey found that most participants were aware of the 2022 Mpox outbreak, but the majority were more concerned about COVID-19 than Mpox. While the majority of participants thought laboratory personnel and HCWs in direct contact with Mpox patients should receive the vaccine, less than 60% believed that all HCWs should be vaccinated. Additionally, over half of the participants lacked knowledge of animal-human transmission of the virus. CONCLUSION: The results highlight the need for increased education on Mpox among transplant HCWs in Saudi Arabia, particularly regarding the virus's transmission dynamics and vaccines. This education is crucial to improve HCWs' understanding of this emerging disease, especially given their vulnerability during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recurrent C3 Glomerulonephritis with an ADAMTS 13 Gene Variant: A Case Report and Literature Review.

C3 glomerulonephritis (C3GN) is a recently described form of GN that mainly occurs in children and young adults. It results from dysregulation of the alternative complement pathway. Studies have shown that dense deposit disease has a high recurrence rate; however, since C3GN is a recently described disorder, its recurrence rate is still variable. A 28-year-old male with end-stage renal disease caused by C3GN underwent renal transplantation. After 19 months, the patient experienced recurrent C3GN (rC3GN) that involved a variant of unknown significance in the ADAMTS13 gene. Over a short span of time, the patient suffered from rapid deterioration of the graft function that required renal replacement therapy. This is the first case of rC3GN that possibly involved genetic alteration, a variant within the ADAMTS 13 gene.

Coronavirus Disease-19: Disease Severity and Outcomes of Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: Different Spectrums of Disease in Different Populations?

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is associated with significant mortality. The elderly, patients with comorbidities, and solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients are particularly at risk. We observed a low incidence of severe disease in our population and aimed to determine the outcomes of COVID-19 (disease severity/intensive care unit [ICU] admissions/mortality) in SOT recipients. METHODS: All SOT recipients diagnosed with COVID-19 were included. Their demographic and clinical data were recorded from the hospital electronic system. Patients were assigned to 1 of 4 stages of disease severity: stage A = asymptomatic, stage B = mild, stage C = moderate, and stage D = severe. RESULTS: Of the 3052 SOT recipients, 67 were diagnosed with COVID-19. The mean age was 52 years, and 69% were male. There were approximately 25% patients in stage A, 28% in stage B, 34% in stage C, and 12% in stage D. Patients in stages C and D were older than those in stage A (P = 0.04) or stage B (P = 0.03). Lactic dehydrogenase (P < 0.01) and D-dimer (P < 0.01) levels were higher across the stages. Approximately 70% of patients were admitted for a median duration of 9 days and the median follow-up was 35 days. Acute kidney injury occurred in 19% of patients, and 45% required supplementary oxygen. The symptomatic patients were treated with Hydroxychloroquine (83%), Azithromycin (89%), and Tocilizumab (23%). Around 15% of patients were admitted to ICU and 2 patients have died. CONCLUSIONS: Most SOT recipients developed mild to moderate COVID-19 infection; few required ICU admission and 2 patients have died. Remaining patients have recovered and have been discharged from the hospital.

Standard induction with basiliximab versus no induction in low immunological risk kidney transplant recipients: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Induction therapy with IL-2 receptor antagonist (IL2-RA) is recommended as a first-line agent in low immunological risk kidney transplant recipients. However, the role of IL2-RA in the setting of tacrolimus-based immunosuppression has not been fully investigated. AIMS: To compare different induction therapeutic strategies with 2 doses of basiliximab vs. no induction in low immunologic risk kidney transplant recipients as per KFSHRC protocol. METHODS: Prospective, randomized, double blind, non-inferiority, controlled clinical trial EXPECTED OUTCOMES: 1. Primary outcomes: Biopsy-proven acute rejection within first year following transplant 2. SECONDARY OUTCOMES: a. Patient and graft survival at 1 year b. eGFR at 6 months and at 12 months c. Emergence of de novo donor-specific antibodies (DSAs) TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study has been prospectively registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NTC: 04404127). Registered on 27 May 2020.

Cytomegalovirus disease in a renal transplant recipient: the importance of pre-transplant screening of the donor and recipient.

A 16-year-old female patient who was born with a single kidney developed chronic kidney disease during her early childhood due to reflux nephropathy and recurrent urinary tract infection. She progressed to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and was commenced on renal replacement therapy in the form of peritoneal dialysis in May 2011. Subsequently, she underwent living unrelated donor kidney transplantation in China. She was hospitalized soon after returning to Saudi Arabia for management of high-grade fever, shortness of breath, and deterioration of renal function, which was found to be due to cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease, proved by kidney biopsy and presence of high level of anti-CMV immunoglobulins. Allograft biopsy showed mature viral particles sized between 120 and 149 nm in the nuclei of the glomerular endothelial cells. The patient was treated with valgancyclovir and specific CMV immunoglobulin, as well as by reducing and even stopping the dose of tacrolimus and mycophenolate. Despite all these measures, her condition continued to deteriorate and she finally died. Our study emphasizes that unrelated renal transplantation, especially if unplanned and improperly prepared, is a very risky procedure that might transfer dangerous diseases and increase the morbidity and mortality of the patients. We strongly stress the need for mandatory and proper screening for CMV carrier status among donors as well as recipients prior to transplantation. Also, a recommendation is made to reject CMV-positive donors.