Pediatric ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation: Evolving with the advancing apheresis technology: A single-center experience

First ABO-Incompatible Pediatric Kidney Transplant in South Africa-A Case Report

BACKGROUND

Blood group incompatibility previously represented an obstacle to living related donor (LRD) options; desensitization modalities have expanded LRD options. ABO-incompatible kidney transplants have been successful in adults and pediatric liver transplants, but to date not yet in pediatric kidney transplants in South Africa.

CASE REPORT

Patient X is a 5 year old male with end-stage kidney failure due to Posterior Urethral Valves, requiring peritoneal dialysis pre-transplant. His sister was the only suitable LRD. The recipient was blood group A+; donor was blood group B+; HLA match was 5/10, nil HLA donor specific antibodies and negative CDC and Flow crossmatches. The recipients' anti-B titer pre-transplant was a maximum of 1:8. A pre-emptive desensitization dose of Rituximab (375 mg/m2) was administered 4 weeks before transplant. The anti-B titer decreased to 1:2 following the Rituximab (CD19% of 0%). Post-transplant, the Anti-B titers were monitored for the first 10 days, with a maximum titer of 1:8 (immunoadsorbtion therapy available if > 1:16, or if associated graft dysfunction). Immunosuppressant protocol consisted of Basiliximab, Tacrolimus, Azathioprine, and Prednisone. Post-transplant, the creatinine improved to 60-70 μmol/L at Week 1. 7 weeks post-transplant, serum creatinine increased > 10% with an antibody titer of 1:2. Kidney biopsy showed CNI-related toxicity; renal function improved with reduction in Tacrolimus doses. Kidney function remains stable 1-year post-transplant with nil episodes of rejection.

CONCLUSION

This is the first ABO-incompatible kidney transplant in a pediatric patient in South Africa and represents an important step in expanding the pool of potential living related donors.

Overcoming limits: First ABO incompatible living donor paired kidney transplant in an hypersensitized pediatric recipient in Spain

INTRODUCTION

HLA sensitization is a growing problem in children awaiting kidney transplantation. In some cases, finding an immunologically compatible donor entails contemplating the option of an ABO incompatible transplant or paired transplant.

METHODS

Patient with genetic nephrotic syndrome and progressive chronic kidney disease, with a previous thrombosis of a first kidney transplant, resulting hypersensitized and remaining for a long-time on hemodialysis. Despite a desensitization strategy, family members were incompatible and deceased donation options must be ruled out due to the presentation of donor-specific antibodies (DSA). After 4 years, the possibility arises to perform a kidney paired transplant with a 62-year-old woman with an incompatible blood group. Although the current cytotoxicity- and cell-based crossmatches were negative, history of DSA were recorded.

RESULTS

An intensive ABO and HLA desensitization protocol was performed in order to combat the isohemagglutinin antibodies and on the memory-HLA, based on rituximab, apheresis sessions, and immunoglobulins. Despite the donor being older in terms of pediatric transplantation, the donor-recipient weight difference, and immunological risk, the transplant was completed successfully. Maintenance of titration of up to 1/2 was confirmed after 3 weeks post-transplant (IgM and IgG). Kidney biopsy at 2 weeks and 6 months without signs of rejection. The patient is currently 12 months post-transplant and has not presented any signs of transplant rejection and has proper renal function.

CONCLUSIONS

Kidney paired transplantation is an excellent solution for hypersensitized children, and ABO incompatibility can be considered to increase their options to find a good donor, without thereby obtaining worse results.

Paediatric kidney transplantation in under-resourced regions-a panoramic view

Kidney transplantation is the ideal choice of kidney replacement therapy in children as it offers a low risk of mortality and a better quality of life. A wide variance in the access to kidney replacement therapies exists across the world with only 21% of low- and low-middle income countries (LLMIC) undertaking kidney transplantation. Pediatric kidney transplantation rates in these under-resourced regions are reported to be as low as < 4 pmcp [per million child population]. A robust kidney failure care program forms the cornerstone of a transplant program. Even the smallest transplant program entails a multidisciplinary workforce and expertise besides ensuring family commitment towards long-term care and economic burden. In general, the short-term graft survival rates from under-resourced regions are comparable to most high-income countries (HIC) and the challenge lies in the long-term outcomes. This review focuses on specific issues relevant to kidney transplants in children in under-resourced regions by highlighting limitations in the capacity and health workforce, regulatory norms, medical issues, economic burden, factors beyond financial hardship and ethical considerations relevant to these regions. Finally, the perspective of strengthening transplant programs in these regions should factor in the bigger challenges that exist in achieving the health-related sustainable development goals by 2030.

Therapeutic apheresis and non-blood donor related apheresis current practices at various blood centres of healthcare organisations of India: A brief online survey

OBJECTIVES

To determine the variability in therapeutic apheresis (TA) and non-blood donor related apheresis practices, and the extent of expertise and knowledge of blood centre staff.

BACKGROUND

Apheresis activity that was earlier limited to therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) and donor apheresis at few centres in India has seen remarkable surge involving many centres practising TA and non-blood donor related apheresis. The decentralised transfusion medicine practice in country has resulted in wide variability of knowledge and practice of TA. An online survey was conducted to achieve study objectives.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A 22 questionnaire survey was sent to the 215 blood centres through e-mail link focussing on three aspects; basic information of the participating centres, details of TA procedures and education and training levels of the staff.

RESULTS

Majority (71.9%) of centres were teaching institutions among analysed 57 centres. TPE (85.9%) and therapeutic cytapheresis (71.9%) were the most common TA procedures. The clinical haematology (68.4%) followed by neurology (64.9%) were the specialities utilising TA. The 64.9% centres used continuous flow cell separator and central venous access (52%) was preferred vascular access. A combination of normal saline, fresh frozen plasma and 5% albumin replacement fluid was first choice. Doctors involved in TA were trained in apheresis during their MD/DNB degree, but no structured training program existed for other category of staff.

CONCLUSION

There was a wide variability in TA practice in India and a dedicated training program for all categories of staff was emphasised by majority of participants.

Feasibility of Immunoadsorption plasmapheresis in an infant for ABO-incompatible solid organ transplant-A reality

BACKGROUND

Immunoadsorption (IA) plasmapheresis is standard modality for pretransplant desensitization in ABO-incompatible solid organ transplants though technically challenging when considered for an infant or a child less than 10 kg due to non-availability of pediatric immunoadsorption (IA) columns. The major challenge is to maintain hemodynamic stability considering the large extracorporeal circuit volume meant for adults. To our best knowledge after extensive search in acclaimed global medical journals, this is the first successful attempt in an underweight (6 kg) infant of less than 1 year of age using adult size IA Column thus making it a reality.

CASE CHARACTERISTICS

We report an 8-month-old male infant (A positive) of 6 kg with decompensated liver disease secondary to extrahepatic biliary atresia requiring urgent live donor liver transplantation with AB positive donor with significantly elevated pretransplant anti-B IgG/ IgM antibody titers >1:1024. Baby underwent multiple sessions of anti-B immunoadsorption plasmapheresis to lower anti-B IgM / IgG titers using available adult anti-B immunoadsorption column. Postprocedure, the antibody titers reduced to 1:8 (anti-IgG) 1:16 (anti-IgM) followed by successful ABO-incompatible live donor liver transplant (LDLT).

OUTCOME

Anti-B titers remained in normal range in the immediate and post-transplant period with satisfactory liver functions and no rejection.

CONCLUSION

Immunoadsorption plasmapheresis for ABO-incompatible solid organ transplantation in infants gives desirable results and can be offered to small sized infants using currently available adult sized IA columns when conducted with adequate technical expertise.

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.