A Baisi1, F Nava2, B Baisi3, E Rubbiani2, G Guaraldi4, F Di Benedetto5, M Giovannoni6, A Solazzo2, D Bonucchi7, G Cappelli2. 1. University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, University Hospital Policlinico of Modena, Modena, Italy. Electronic address: albertobaisi86@gmail.com. 2. University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, University Hospital Policlinico of Modena, Modena, Italy. 3. University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Division of Urology, University Hospital Policlinico of Modena, Modena, Italy. 4. University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Division of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Policlinico of Modena, Modena, Italy. 5. University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Division of Liver-Bilio-Pancreatic Surgery and Liver Transplantation, University Hospital Policlinico of Modena, Modena, Italy. 6. University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Division of Angiology and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Policlinico of Modena, Modena, Italy. 7. Nephrology of Area Nord, Carpi, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients undergoing kidney transplantation, outcomes and immunosuppression (IS) protocol are not yet established due to infectious and neoplastic risks as well as to pharmacokinetic interactions with antiretroviral therapy (TARV). METHODS: We report a retrospective, 1-center study on 18 HIV+ patients undergoing, between October 2007 and September 2015, kidney transplantation (13 cases) or combined kidney-liver transplant (5 cases). Inclusion criteria for transplant were based on the Italian National Transplant Center protocol. IS regimen was based on quick tapering of steroids and the use of mTOR inhibitors (mTORi) with low dose of calcineurin inhibitors (CNI). In the early post-transplant period, TARV was based on enfuvirtide, raltegravir, plus 1 or more nucleoside analogues. RESULTS: In a mean follow-up of 3.1 years, patient survival rate at 1 and 3 years was, respectively, 86.6% and 84.6%, whereas graft survival was 81.2% and 78.6%. Cumulative rejection rate was 20.0% and 26.6% (1- and 3-year results). Median eGFR (MDRD) was 58.8 mL/min and 51.9 mL/min at 1 and 3 years. We had 9 cases of clinically relevant infections (2 Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia, 1 pulmonary aspergillosis, 2 severe sepsis, and 4 HCV reactivation) as well as 1 case (5.5%) of HIV reactivation. CONCLUSIONS: IS therapy based on mTORi and low CNI dose ensures good graft survival, low rate of acute rejection, limited drug toxicity, and control of HIV disease. TARV has no significant interaction with IS therapy.
BACKGROUND: In Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positivepatients undergoing kidney transplantation, outcomes and immunosuppression (IS) protocol are not yet established due to infectious and neoplastic risks as well as to pharmacokinetic interactions with antiretroviral therapy (TARV). METHODS: We report a retrospective, 1-center study on 18 HIV+ patients undergoing, between October 2007 and September 2015, kidney transplantation (13 cases) or combined kidney-liver transplant (5 cases). Inclusion criteria for transplant were based on the Italian National Transplant Center protocol. IS regimen was based on quick tapering of steroids and the use of mTOR inhibitors (mTORi) with low dose of calcineurin inhibitors (CNI). In the early post-transplant period, TARV was based on enfuvirtide, raltegravir, plus 1 or more nucleoside analogues. RESULTS: In a mean follow-up of 3.1 years, patient survival rate at 1 and 3 years was, respectively, 86.6% and 84.6%, whereas graft survival was 81.2% and 78.6%. Cumulative rejection rate was 20.0% and 26.6% (1- and 3-year results). Median eGFR (MDRD) was 58.8 mL/min and 51.9 mL/min at 1 and 3 years. We had 9 cases of clinically relevant infections (2 Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia, 1 pulmonary aspergillosis, 2 severe sepsis, and 4 HCV reactivation) as well as 1 case (5.5%) of HIV reactivation. CONCLUSIONS: IS therapy based on mTORi and low CNI dose ensures good graft survival, low rate of acute rejection, limited drug toxicity, and control of HIV disease. TARV has no significant interaction with IS therapy.