title: Successful transplantation of HIV patients: the Louisiana experience.
abstract: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositivity has historically been an absolute contraindication for solid organ transplantation. However, the successful application of HAART (highly active anti-retroviral therapy) drug regimens has greatly prolonged the life expectancy of HIV-positive patients. Therefore, it has become appropriate to consider this patient population for transplantation. HIV positive transplants are being performed around the country in controlled settings, usually as part of a research protocol. The aim of our study is to describe the Louisiana experience with organ transplantation into HIV-positive patients. We identified seven HIV-positive patients who underwent kidney or kidney/pancreas transplantation at our center between 2007 and 2010. We performed a retrospective chart review to ascertain graft function, as well as virologic and immunologic status post-transplant. Renal function (glomerular filtration rate and serum creatinine concentrations) improved in all subjects post-transplant, and six of seven (85.8%) subjects remained virologically suppressed with no progression to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Overall, two-year graft and patient survival rates were 85.5%. HIV seropositive End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients represent a new population of patients that can be successfully transplanted. This offers a new dimension in care for successful HAART therapy to prolong the life of HIV-infected patients.
authors.affiliation: Tulane University School of Medicine, USA.
authors.forename: Kellen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hayes
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Van Sickels
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Buell
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Killackey
authors.forename: Rubin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Slakey
authors.forename: Ivo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lukitsch
authors.forename: Arnold
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alper
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mushatt
authors.forename: Shadaba
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Asad
authors.forename: Anil
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Paramesh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000379:methods; D008145:Louisiana; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016377:Organ Transplantation; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load