Table of Content

Open Access Research Article

KAS Turns Four: The State of Deceased Donor Kidney Allocation in the U.S.

Received: 14 December 2018;  Published: 22 January 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.1901041

Abstract

Background: This study examines very recent trends in deceased donor kidney transplantation to assess the performance of the kidney allocation system (KAS), implemented December 4, 2014, and whether bolus effects associated with KAS have stabilized nearly four years after implementation. Methods: The overall number of deceased donor kidney transplants, as well as the proportion of transplants by recipient and transplant characteristics, were calculated monthly from December 2013 through September 2018 and exa [...]

1343 13876

Open Access Review

Parvovirus B19 Infection in Solid Organ Transplantation: Report of A Case and A Review

Received: 05 November 2018;  Published: 20 January 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.1901040

Abstract

Infection with parvovirus B19 is common, with up to 55% of adults showing seropositive evidence of prior infection. Clinical disease can occur due to acute infection, secondary infection, or reactivation. The clinical presentation of primary infection depends on age, the presence of a hematologic condition, and immune status. It is an uncommon infection in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients that has atypical features, usually presenting with pure red cell aplasia which is refractory to erythropoietin (EPO) [...]

1055 7678

Open Access Review

Chagas Disease, Leishmaniasis, and Malaria in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

Received: 28 October 2018;  Published: 15 January 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.1901039

Abstract

Solid organ transplantation (SOT) is increasingly employed worldwide to treat several diseases causing either acute and chronic organ failure. Recipients of SOT are at increased risk to develop infections as a consequence of immunosuppressive therapy. Sometimes such infections may be acquired by the transplanted organ or by reactivation of previously acquired latent infection. The globalization and the increase of international travel poses a risk for exposure to infections such as Chagas disease (CD), leishmaniasi [...]

1363 7081

Open Access Review

A Tale of Two Flaviviruses: West Nile Virus and Zika Virus in Solid Organ Transplantation

Received: 02 November 2018;  Published: 08 January 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.1901038

Abstract

Flaviviruses can cause epidemics and endemics with substantial public health threat and economic impacts. In the last few decades, many flaviviruses have re-emerged or expanded their territories to new regions or continents, including West Nile virus that has become endemic in the US since its arrival in 1999 and Zika virus that recently spread across the Americas. These events demonstrate the speed with which a vector-born pathogen can disseminate when introduced into a susceptible population with competent vecto [...]

1111 7491

Open Access Review

An Approach to Fungal Diagnostics in Solid Organ Transplantation

Received: 14 November 2018;  Published: 29 December 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.1804037

Abstract

The approach to diagnosing fungal infections following solid organ transplantation (SOT) is patient-specific. An assessment of an individual’s risk for particular infections, also understood as the pre-test probability, should guide appropriate diagnostic testing whereas diagnostic stewardship is needed to produce interpretable, actionable and cost-sensitive results. This review provides a cognitive framework for practitioners aiming to diagnose fungal infections in recipients of SOT, taking into consideration the [...]

1090 7601

Open Access Review

Chemical Strategies for Improving Islet Transplant Outcomes

Received: 08 October 2018;  Published: 28 December 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.1804036

Abstract

Islet transplantation has proven to be a viable treatment for individuals suffering from both Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1D) and chronic pancreatitis. However, a variety of challenges limit the effectiveness of this procedure by reducing the number of islets that survive the harvesting and transplantation processes. Increasing islet survival would increase the long-term effectiveness of the procedure and allow this technique to be used in more patients. A number of factors have been shown to improve the outcomes o [...]

889 11503

Open Access Review

Strongyloidiasis in Solid Organ Transplantation

Received: 31 October 2018;  Published: 27 December 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.1804035

Abstract

Strongyloides stercoralis, an intestinal parasitic nematode (roundworm), infects more than 100 million people worldwide. While most infected immunocompetent persons are either asymptomatic or experience only mild, intermittent symptoms, immunosuppressed individuals, including those undergoing solid organ transplantation, are at increased risk for developing the frequently fatal hyperinfection syndrome. Donor-derived strongyloidiasis has recently become increasingly recognized and reported but current donor screenin [...]

1368 8363

Open Access Review

Application of Microfluidic Biochips for Human Islet Transplantation

Received: 08 November 2018;  Published: 21 December 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.1804034

Abstract

In this review, we discuss the application of microfluidic devices in studying the physiology and pathophysiology of human islets and beta-cells, especially its application for human islet transplantation. Human islet transplantation is a promising therapy for Type I diabetes; however, the islet transplant outcomes for achieving complete insulin independence are far from perfect and face many challenges. This review focuses on the microfluidic devices developed in our laboratory, which can address these challenges [...]

1166 8960

Open Access Case Report

Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency and Lung Transplantation: A Clinical Case

Received: 30 August 2018;  Published: 18 December 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.1804033

Abstract

BACKGROUND: α1-antitrypsin deficiency is the most common hereditary disorder in adults and is associated to an increased risk of developing lung emphysema. METHODS: With this case report, we describe the case of a 54 years old patient, who underwent bilateral lung transplantation due to alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency emphysema. RESULTS: The patient was diagnosed with partial alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (189 mg/dl) associated to PIMZ genotype; although he quitted smoking, lung disease progressively deteriorates [...]

849 7145

Open Access Research Article

Changes in HLA-G Expression by Leucocyte Subsets Following Renal Transplantation and the Effect of Immunosuppressive Drugs on Leucocyte HLA-G Expression in Vitro

Received: 10 October 2018;  Published: 14 December 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.1804032

Abstract

Background HLA-G is an immunosuppressive molecule with a potential role in allograft acceptance. Methods Expression of HLA-G on leucocyte subpopulations was studied in a group of 21 renal transplant patients immediately prior to and 2 month post-transplantation. Results Significant increases in proportions of total HLA-G+CD4+ T cells were seen (0.5+/-0.1% to 7.9+/-3.2%; p

1018 7820

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