Pam Kimball1, Felecia Reid. 1. Department of Surgery, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Richmond, VA 23298-0005, USA.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: We investigated whether tumor necrosis factor (TNF) beta(low) or TNFbeta(high) alleles predicted susceptibility to infection or rejection after renal transplantation. METHODS: TNFbeta alleles were determined in 137 (ESRD) patients and correlated with urinary tract infections and rejection within 60 days among 75 consecutive renal transplant recipients. RESULTS: TNFbeta low was more prevalent among African-Americans than caucasians (83 vs. 63%, P=0.02). After renal transplantation, patients with TNFbeta low experienced more urinary tract infections (50 vs. 10%, P=0.002). The incidence of TNFbeta low and urinary tract infections were equivalent in patients treated with mycophenolate mofetil/cyclosporine (CsAA) (n=37) versus mycophenolate mofetil/tacrolimus (n=38). TNFbeta low was not associated with the incidence of delayed graft function (5 vs. 2, P=NS), early rejection (21 vs. 18%, P=NS) or actuarial 1-year graft survival (96 vs. 90%, P=NS). CONCLUSIONS: TNFbeta low was associated with urinary tract infections and TNFbeta high was associated with freedom from urinary tract infections. Neither gene correlated with rejection or l-year graft survival.
INTRODUCTION: We investigated whether tumor necrosis factor (TNF) beta(low) or TNFbeta(high) alleles predicted susceptibility to infection or rejection after renal transplantation. METHODS:TNFbeta alleles were determined in 137 (ESRD) patients and correlated with urinary tract infections and rejection within 60 days among 75 consecutive renal transplant recipients. RESULTS:TNFbeta low was more prevalent among African-Americans than caucasians (83 vs. 63%, P=0.02). After renal transplantation, patients with TNFbeta low experienced more urinary tract infections (50 vs. 10%, P=0.002). The incidence of TNFbeta low and urinary tract infections were equivalent in patients treated with mycophenolate mofetil/cyclosporine (CsAA) (n=37) versus mycophenolate mofetil/tacrolimus (n=38). TNFbeta low was not associated with the incidence of delayed graft function (5 vs. 2, P=NS), early rejection (21 vs. 18%, P=NS) or actuarial 1-year graft survival (96 vs. 90%, P=NS). CONCLUSIONS:TNFbeta low was associated with urinary tract infections and TNFbeta high was associated with freedom from urinary tract infections. Neither gene correlated with rejection or l-year graft survival.