title: ABO blood group incompatible kidney transplantation: a case report and review of the literature.
abstract: A patient with end-stage renal failure, two previously failed kidney transplants and high serum lymphocytotoxic antibody levels was transplanted electively with an ABO-mismatched, HLA-identical kidney from his sibling. Immunosuppression consisted of pretransplant splenectomy and plasma exchange, followed by rabbit antithymocyte serum, azathioprine, prednisone and plasma exchange in the early post-transplant period. He is now 3 years post-transplant with normal renal function on conventional immunosuppressive therapy. This case, and a review of the literature, suggest that ABO blood group incompatibility need not be an absolute barrier to successful kidney transplantation. ABO incompatible kidney transplantation may be a potentially fruitful area for further research as the demand for donor organs continues to outstrip the supply.
authors.affiliation: Toronto Western Hospital, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Cardella
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Pei
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Brady
mesh_terms: D000017:ABO Blood-Group System / Q000276:immunology*; D000328:Adult; D006084:Graft Rejection; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D010956:Plasmapheresis; D013156:Splenectomy
chemical_list: D000017:ABO Blood-Group System