Solid organ transplantation is a reality for patients with HIV infection.
Recent policies, guidelines, and laws reflect promising preliminary outcomes among transplant recipients with HIV infection, and ethical analyses suggest that it is not justifiable to deny solid organ transplantation based solely on HIV-infection status. These studies consistently describe stable HIV disease following liver and kidney transplantation. Despite good graft survival, kidney allograft rejection occurs frequently, and serious non-AIDS-defining infections requiring hospitalization are common following antirejection therapy. Profound interactions between immunosuppressants and antiretroviral drugs require careful monitoring, dose adjustment, and highly effective communication between the patient and a multidisciplinary group of health care providers. Despite these scientific and policy advances, many health care providers and patients remain unaware of ongoing progress in this field. The implications are critical, as late referral for liver transplant evaluation increases the pretransplant mortality risk. Because important patient selection and clinical management questions remain, it is critical that ongoing studies are completed quickly.
Roland
Michelle E
ME
Department of Medicine, University of California, Positive Health Program (AIDS Division) at San Francisco General Hospital, Ward 84, Building 80, 995 Potrero Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA. mroland@php.ucsf.edu
Stock
Peter G
PG
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006084:Graft Rejection; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016377:Organ Transplantation; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents