Low-Dose Valganciclovir Prophylaxis Is Safe and Cost-Saving in CMV-Seropositive Kidney Transplant Recipients

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 368-376
Author(s):  
Yiyun Shi ◽  
Alexis Hope Lerner ◽  
Ralph Rogers ◽  
Kendra Vieira ◽  
Basma Merhi ◽  
...  

Introduction: Observational studies suggest that low-dose valganciclovir prophylaxis (450 mg daily for normal renal function) is as effective as and perhaps safer than standard-dose valganciclovir (900 mg daily) in preventing CMV infection among kidney transplant recipients. However, this practice is not supported by current guidelines due to concerns for breakthrough infection from resistant CMV, mainly in high-risk CMV donor-seropositive/recipient-seronegative kidney transplant recipients. Standard-dose valganciclovir is costly and possibly associated with higher incidence of neutropenia and BKV DNAemia. Our institution adopted low-dose valganciclovir prophylaxis for intermediate-risk (seropositive) kidney transplant recipients in January 2018. Research Question: To analyze the efficacy (CMV DNAemia), safety (BK virus DNAemia, neutropenia, graft loss, and death), and cost savings associated with this change. Design: We retrospectively compared the above outcomes between CMV-seropositive kidney transplant recipients who received low-dose and standard-dose valganciclovir, transplanted within our institution, between 1/19/2014 and 7/15/2019, using propensity score-adjusted competing risk analyses. We also compared cost estimates between the two dosing regimens, for 3 months of prophylaxis, and for different percentage of patient-weeks with normal renal function, using the current average wholesale price of valganciclovir. Results: We studied 179 CMV-seropositive kidney transplant recipients, of whom 55 received low-dose and 124 standard-dose valganciclovir. The majority received nonlymphocyte depleting induction (basiliximab). Low-dose valganciclovir was at least as effective and safe as, and more cost-saving than standard-dose valganciclovir. Conclusion: This single-center study contributes to mounting evidence for future guidelines to be adjusted in favor of low-dose valganciclovir prophylaxis in CMV-seropositive kidney transplant recipients.

2008 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 417-422 ◽  
Author(s):  
Behzad Einollahi ◽  
Mahboob Lessan-Pezeshki ◽  
Vahid Pourfarziani ◽  
Behroz Aghdam ◽  
Jamshid Rouzbeh ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Ersin Nazlican ◽  
Neshat Yucel ◽  
Saime Paydas ◽  
Ilker Unal

OBJECTİVE: Kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) may have increased serum uric acid (SUA) level due to presence of existing greft dysfunction and used immunosuppressives. In this retrospective study, we evaluated effect of high SUA levels and allopurinol therapy in KTRs on renal functions. PATIENTS and METHODS: 113 KTRs of 233 KTRs included, had elevated SUA level (G1). Fiftyseven of G1 received allopurinol treatment (G1A+) and 56 patients (G1A-) did not. 56 of 118 patients who were followed for five years (G5) were hyperuricemic (G5-1) and 26 of G5-1 treated with allopurinol (G5-1A+) and 30 of them did not (G5-1A-). 62 patients were normourisemic (G5-2). RESULTS: Of the 233 patients included the mean age was 42.8±11.6 (17-76), 164 were male (70.0%). In 2. year graft loss developed in 9 (7.5 %) and 18 (15.9%) of G2 and G1 respectively (p = 0.045). According to allopurinol therapy 10 of the graft loss occurred in the G1A+ and 8 in the G1A- (p=0,330). Graft loss occurred in 12 (21%) and 9 (14%) in G5-1 and G5-2 respectively (p = 0.62). Graft loss occurred in 7 (23 %) and 5 (19%) in G5-1A+ and G5-1A- respectively P = 0.71). Considering the first 2 in G5; in G5-1 graft loss was higher than in the G5-2 (p = 0.023), and higher SUA levels increased the graft loss by 3.6 times compared to normal SUA levels (95% confidence interval: 1,2-12.70). CONCLUSION: There was a significant relationship between high SUA levels and graf loss in kidney transplant recipients in 2 years and 5 years. Treatment of high SUA with alIopurinol therapy had protective effect on renal functions. So that hyperuricemia should be treated and low dose allopurinol can be option for treatment of hyperuricemia therefore prevention of loss of kidney function in kidney transplant recipients.


Author(s):  
Claudia Ribeiro ◽  
Sylvia Aparecida Dias Turani ◽  
Silvana Maria Carvalho Miranda ◽  
Pedro Augusto Macedo de Souza ◽  
Maria Goretti Moreira Guimarães Penido

Abstract Introduction: Kidney transplant recipients (KTR) are at increased risk for dengue virus (DENV) infection. The aim of this study was to outline the clinical presentation and laboratory profile of DENV infection in KTR and its impact on renal function. Methods: This was a retrospective study of KTR diagnosed with DENV infection. Adult patients who visited Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte Nephrology Center between April and September 2019 were included. Patients who did not sign the Informed Consent were excluded. Data were collected from the database and medical records. The study was approved by the local Institutional Ethics Committee and the Informed Consent was obtained. Results: Nineteen KTR were evaluated. The main signs and symptoms were myalgia, headache/retro-orbital pain, fever, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Two patients had acute cholecystitis without calculus, three experienced pleural and/or pericardial effusion, and one developed acute myocarditis. All patients were under immunosuppression with prednisone, tacrolimus, and mycophenolate, and most were not receiving induction therapy. Temporary suspension/reduction of immunosuppression was required in 58% of patients and leukopenia was the most common reason. Thrombocytopenia was common and 58% of patients developed acute kidney injury. All patients recovered renal function. Conclusions: DENV infection in KTR patients seems to follow a similar course as in the general population. Although there was no control group, we suspect that immunosuppression, preexisting kidney disease or type of donor was not a determining factor in most patients. Transient renal dysfunction was common but reversible. No patient experienced death or graft loss.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (28) ◽  
pp. 3451-3459
Author(s):  
Tomáš Seeman

: Kidney transplantation is a preferable treatment of children with end-stage kidney disease. All kidney transplant recipients, including pediatric need immunosuppressive medications to prevent rejection episodes and graft loss. : Induction therapy is used temporarily only immediately following transplantation while maintenance immunosuppressive drugs are started and given long-term. There is currently no consensus regarding the use of induction therapy in children; its use should be decided based on the immunological risk of the child. : The recent progress shows that the recommended strategy is to use as maintenance immunosuppressive therapy a combination of a calcineurin inhibitor (preferably tacrolimus) with an antiproliferative drug (preferably mycophenolate mofetil) with steroids that can be withdrawn early or late in low-risk children. The mTOR-inhibitors (sirolimus, everolimus) are used rarely in pediatrics because of common side effects and no evidence of a benefit over calcineurin inhibitors. The use of calcineurin inhibitors, mycophenolate, and mTOR-inhibitors should be followed by therapeutic drug monitoring. : Immunosuppressive therapy of acute rejection consists of high-dose steroids and/or anti-lymphocyte antibodies (T-cell mediated rejection) or plasma exchange, intravenous immunoglobulines and/or rituximab (antibodymediated rejection). : The future strategies for research are mainly precise characterisation of children needing induction therapy, more specific indications for mTOR-inhibitors and for the far future, the possibility to reach the immuno tolerance.


2000 ◽  
Vol 69 (Supplement) ◽  
pp. S156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamid Shidban ◽  
M. Sabawi ◽  
S. Aswad ◽  
G. Chambers ◽  
I. Castillon ◽  
...  

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 351
Author(s):  
Baptiste Demey ◽  
Véronique Descamps ◽  
Claire Presne ◽  
Francois Helle ◽  
Catherine Francois ◽  
...  

Background: Kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) are exposed to a high risk of BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) replication, which in turn may lead to graft loss. Although the microRNAs (miRNAs) bkv-miR-B1-3p and bkv-miR-B1-5p are produced during the viral cycle, their putative value as markers of viral replication has yet to be established. In KTRs, the clinical relevance of the changes over time in BKPyV miRNA levels has not been determined. Methods: In a retrospective study, we analyzed 186 urine samples and 120 plasma samples collected from 67 KTRs during the first year post-transplantation. Using a reproducible, standardized, quantitative RT-PCR assay, we measured the levels of bkv-miR-B1-3p and bkv-miR-B1-5p (relative to the BKPyV DNA load). Results: Detection of the two miRNAs had low diagnostic value for identifying patients with DNAemia or for predicting DNAuria during follow-up. Seven of the 14 KTRs with a sustained BKPyV infection within the first year post-transplantation showed a progressive reduction in the DNA load and then a rapid disappearance of the miRNAs. DNA and miRNA loads were stable in the other seven KTRs. Conclusions: After the DNA-based diagnosis of BKPyV infection in KTRs, bkv-miR-B1-3p and bkv-miR-B1-5p levels in the urine might be valuable markers for viral replication monitoring and thus might help physicians to avoid an excessive reduction in the immunosuppressive regimen.


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