Outcome of ABO-Incompatible Living Donor Renal Transplantations: A Single-Center Experience From Eastern India

ABO-Incompatible Renal Transplant: A Single-Center Experience from India

Introduction

In view of ever-increasing end-stage renal disease (ESRD) population but inadequate availability of suitable donors, ABO-incompatible (ABOi) transplantation can be an important void filler. However, at present, ABOi transplantation is limited to a few centers in India and there is a lack of adequate experience and expertise to guide this program to other centers in the country.

Methods

Data of all the ABOi transplants performed from 2012 to 2021 in a tertiary care hospital was retrospectively analyzed. The anti-ABO antibody (IgG) titers (≤1:4) were considered safe before transplantation. Desensitization included rituximab, plasma exchange, or selective immunoadsorption column. Tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil were initiated at day -7. Induction agents included ATG, ATLG, basiliximab, or no induction. Postoperatively, anti-ABO titers were done daily for 2 weeks.

Results

A total of 202 patients underwent transplantation; of these, 195 patients whose data were for available for 12 months were included in the study. Mean duration of follow-up was 28.9 ± 21.7 months. UTI was the most common source of infection, occurring in almost half (46.1%) of the patients. Antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR; 15%) was common in the first year. Patient survival was 86.6% (169/195) at 1 year. Sepsis was the most common of death in more than two-thirds of the population, including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-associated mortality in nine patients (4.6%). Death-censored graft survival was 89.3% (174/195). AMR was the leading cause of graft loss in almost half of the patients.

Conclusion

ABOi should be considered in ESRD patients for whom suitable ABO-compatible donor is not available. Higher rate of rejection and infection are still a major concern.

Advancement in preoperative desensitization therapy for ABO incompatible kidney transplantation recipients

ABO incompatibility has long been considered an absolute contraindication for kidney transplantation. However, with the increasing number of patients with ESRD in recent years, ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation (ABOi-KT) has expanded the types of donors by crossing the blood group barrier through preoperative desensitization therapy. At present, the desensitization protocols consist of removal of preexisting ABO blood group antibody titers and prevention of ABO blood group antibody return. Studies have suggested similar patient and graft survival among ABOi-KT and ABOc-KT recipients. In this review, we will summarize the effective desensitization regimens of ABOi-KT, aiming to explore effective ways to improve the success rate and the long-term survival rate of ABOi-KT recipients.

Experiences of performing ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation in Bangladesh

Background

The number of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients is increasing in Bangladesh. Currently, living kidney donation is the only viable option for transplantation in Bangladesh, and it is further restricted by ABO compatibility issues. We have performed ABO-incompatible kidney transplantations (ABOi KTs) in Bangladesh since 2018. This study examines our experiences with seven cases of ABOi KT.

Methods

The desensitization protocol included low-dose rituximab (100 mg/body) followed by plasma exchange (PEX), which was followed by a 5-g dose of intravenous immunoglobulin. Immunosuppression was undertaken using tacrolimus (0.1 mg/kg/day), mycophenolate mofetil (1,500 mg/day), and prednisolone (0.5 mg/kg/day). All patients received basiliximab for induction therapy.

Results

The median baseline anti-ABO antibody titer was 164 (range, 132–1128). Transplantation was performed at a titer of ≤18. Our patients attended three to five PEX sessions before transplantation. Graft survival was 100% in the seven cases over a mean period of 22 months. The mean creatinine level was 204.6±47.4 µmol/L. Two patients were suspected of having developed acute rejection and received intravenous methylprednisolone, resulting in improved kidney function. One patient required posttransplant hemodialysis due to delayed graft function and subsequently improved. Infection was the most common complication experienced by ABOi KT patients. Two patients developed severe cytomegalovirus pneumonia and died with functioning grafts.

Conclusions

ABOi KT in Bangladesh will substantially expand the living kidney donor pool and bring hope to a large number of ESRD patients without ABO-compatible donors. However, the high cost and risk of acute rejection and infection remain major concerns.

Kidney Transplantation with ABO-Incompatible Donors: A Comparison with Matched ABO Compatible Donor Transplants

Introduction:

ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation (ABOiKTx) expands the living donor pool. There is limited long-term outcome data from India especially in comparison with ABO-compatible kidney transplantation (ABOcKTx). Here we report outcomes of the first 100 ABOiKTx compared to ABOcKTx from our center.

Methods:

Between August 2013 and December 2019, 100 consecutive ABOiKTx were compared with 100 ABOcKTx done during the same period.Controls were matched for age, donor characteristics, HLA mismatches, and date of transplantation.

Results:

Mean (SD) follow up period was 25.9 ± 20.5 and 27.2 ± 20.6 months in ABOi and ABOcKTx respectively. Patient survival at 1 and 5 years post-transplant was 93.3 and 73.5% vs. 95.4 and 93% (P = 0.03), while graft survival rates were 85 and 60% vs. 93.1 and 83% in ABOi and ABOcKTx respectively (P = 0.03). The incidence of antibody-mediated rejections was 15% vs. 4%, and that of T-cell-mediated rejections was 10 vs. 12% respectively. Infections, malignancies, and surgical complications were similar. Level of anti ABO titers, HLA mismatches, recipient age, donor age, and presence of diabetes did not impact graft survival amongst ABOiKTx. The predicted survival and incidence of acute rejections and infections in the later 50 ABOiKTx transplants were better than the first 50 ABOiKTx when compared to their respective controls.

Conclusion:

Outcomes of ABOiKTx were inferior to ABOcKTx but tends to improve as more experience is gained. Incidence of ABMR was higher but infections and surgical complications were comparable. This data provides evidence that ABOiKTx is viable option for those without a ABO compatible donor.

Use of immunoadsorption columns in ABO-incompatible renal transplantation: A prospective study at a tertiary care center in India

BACKGROUND

We present our experience of ABO-incompatible renal transplant using immunoadsorption (IA) columns. We have compared efficacy of two commercially available columns.

METHODS

This single-center prospective study was conducted at Army Hospital Research and Referral, Delhi. All consecutive ABO-incompatible renal transplants from January 2014 to February 2018 were analyzed. Of 30 patients who underwent transplantations, 28 underwent antibody depletion with immunoadsorption columns. Of them, 14 cases were in the "Glycosorb group," while 14 in the "Adsopak group."

RESULTS

The donors in the Adsopak group were older than those in the Glycosorb group (p < 0.05). Both groups had spousal donors in majority. The cutoff for the antibody titer was 1:8. The median titer in the Adsopak group was 128 (range, 1:4 to 1:2048), while that in the Glycosorb group was 24 (range, 1:8 to 1:128). All patients in the Glycosorb group had baseline titers ≤1:128, while 13 patients in the Adsopak group had baseline titers ≤1:512. Nil titer was achievable with Glycosorb® (50%,7/14) but not with Adsopak® (P < 0.01). Around 4 sessions were required for the Glycosorb group, while around 8 sessions were required for the Adsopak group before transplantation (p < 0.001). The Glycosorb group was advantageous in terms of graft failure because no rejection was noticed in these patients in their follow-up period. Three patients in the Adsopak group developed rejection (two had mixed rejection, and one had antibody-mediated rejection). Four patients died of sepsis (three in the Glycosorb and one in the Adsopak group). Lower baseline serum creatinine level was achieved in the Glycosorb group.

CONCLUSIONS

Results of ABO-incompatible renal transplantation were satisfactory, and the use of immunoadsorption columns could effectively deplete antibody titers. Glycosorb columns were more efficient than Adsopak columns. Graft survival was better with Glycosorb. Posttransplant infections were a major cause of mortality.

Outcome of desensitization in human leukocyte antigen and ABO incompatible living donor kidney transplantation: Single center experience of first 200 incompatible transplants

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Although desensitization is well established, concerns about graft outcome, patient survival and rejection still exist. The present study aims at comparing outcomes of renal transplant recipients across simultaneous ABO and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) incompatibility barriers to those with ABO or HLA incompatibility alone.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a retrospective study conducted from October 2015 to December 2018. All patients with a clinical diagnosis of chronic kidney disease, who were prospective HLA incompatible (HLAi) and/or ABO incompatible (ABOi) renal transplant recipients were included. A total of 400 cases including 36 ABOi transplants, 154 HLAi transplants, 10 simultaneously ABO and HLA incompatible transplants, and 200 ABO (ABOc) and HLA (HLAc) compatible kidney transplants from living donors were included.

RESULTS

There were significantly more number of blood transfusions, previous transplants and pregnancies in HLAi transplant recipients relative to the ABOi or the control group. Mean number of therapeutic plasma exchange procedures per patient and mean plasma volume processed per procedure were slightly higher in the ABOi + HLAi category. The incidence of graft dysfunction due to suspected antibody-mediated rejection during first year was highest in the ABOi + HLAi group, followed by ABOc + HLAi and ABOi + HLAc, lowest in the ABOc + HLAc category. Mean time to first episode of graft dysfunction was significantly shorter with incompatible transplants. There were no kidney transplant recipient deaths in the study.

CONCLUSION

Patient outcome and graft outcomes observed with incompatible transplants were not worse than those observed with compatible transplants.

Immunoadsorption in ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation in adult and pediatric patients with follow-up on graft and patient survival: First series from India

BACKGROUND:

There are no published reports on desensitization protocol for ABO-incompatible kidney transplants using Immuno-Adsorption (IA) plasmapheresis from India. IA offers certain advantages including processing of larger plasma volumes, quicker reduction of isoagglutinin titers and no requirement of replacement fluids.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

Authors' center evaluated success of desensitization protocol, and graft/patient outcomes when IA procedures were performed for desensitization in adult and pediatric ABO-incompatible kidney transplant patients.

METHODS:

Patients undergoing ABO-incompatible kidney transplant with use of IA were evaluated at tertiary care center in north India. Patient records for 2-years were collated from hospital information system (HIS) and procedure forms.

RESULTS:

Sixteen IA procedures were performed in five patients who underwent successful ABO-incompatible kidney transplant. Initial isoagglutinin IgG titer ranged from 32-512. Mean number of IA procedures performed to achieve the desired pre-transplant IgG titer ≤8 was 3.2. New IA column was used for each patient (and re-used for the same patient, if needed, after sterilization with Low temperature steam of formaldehyde). Mean plasma volume processed during each IA procedure was 4.5 times. No adverse events were observed during any IA procedure. All patients achieved successful desensitization. All patients continue to do well clinically with mean follow-up period of 8.8 months. Although IA was expensive, it offered advantages like specificity, larger plasma volume processing with desired reduction in titer, no 'replacement fluid' requirements and no adverse events in present case series.

CONCLUSION:

IA plasmapheresis was universally successful in decreasing the ABO-isoagglutinin titers to desired level in all prospective ABO incompatible kidney transplant patients.

Guidelines on the Use of Therapeutic Apheresis in Clinical Practice - Evidence-Based Approach from the Writing Committee of the American Society for Apheresis: The Eighth Special Issue

The American Society for Apheresis (ASFA) Journal of Clinical Apheresis (JCA) Special Issue Writing Committee is charged with reviewing, updating and categorizing indications for the evidence-based use of therapeutic apheresis (TA) in human disease. Since the 2007 JCA Special Issue (Fourth Edition), the committee has incorporated systematic review and evidence-based approaches in the grading and categorization of apheresis indications. This Eighth Edition of the JCA Special Issue continues to maintain this methodology and rigor in order to make recommendations on the use of apheresis in a wide variety of diseases/conditions. The JCA Eighth Edition, like its predecessor, continues to apply the category and grading system definitions in fact sheets. The general layout and concept of a fact sheet that was introduced in the Fourth Edition, has largely been maintained in this edition. Each fact sheet succinctly summarizes the evidence for the use of TA in a specific disease entity or medical condition. The Eighth Edition comprises 84 fact sheets for relevant diseases and medical conditions, with 157 graded and categorized indications and/or TA modalities. The Eighth Edition of the JCA Special Issue seeks to continue to serve as a key resource that guides the utilization of TA in the treatment of human disease.

Rituximab in kidney disease and transplant

Rituximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody that binds to CD20 antigen of B-cells. It depletes the level of mature B-cells by various mechanisms such as mediation of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, complement-dependent cytotoxicity, and B-cell apoptosis. Rituximab is a USFDA approved drug for clinical use in non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma (NHL), rheumatoid arthritis, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), granulomatosis with polyangiitis and pemphigus vulgaris. It is also known for its "off label" use in renal disease and renal transplant worldwide. However, the exact mechanisms by which it exerts its effect in the aforementioned condition remain unclear but may be related to its long-term effects on plasma cell development and the impact on B-cell modulation of T cell responses. This review discusses the current use of rituximab in renal disease and renal transplantation, and its potential role in novel therapeutic protocols.