title: HIV-positive-to-HIV-positive kidney transplantation--results at 3 to 5 years.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The outcome of kidney transplantation in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients who receive organs from HIV-negative donors has been reported to be similar to the outcome in HIV-negative recipients. We report the outcomes at 3 to 5 years in HIV-positive patients who received kidneys from HIV-positive deceased donors.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a prospective, nonrandomized study of kidney transplantation in HIV-infected patients who had a CD4 T-cell count of 200 per cubic millimeter or higher and an undetectable plasma HIV RNA level. All the patients were receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). The patients received kidneys from deceased donors who tested positive for HIV with the use of fourth-generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at the time of referral. All the donors either had received no ART previously or had received only first-line ART.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From September 2008 through February 2014, a total of 27 HIV-positive patients underwent kidney transplantation. Survivors were followed for a median of 2.4 years. The rate of survival among the patients was 84% at 1 year, 84% at 3 years, and 74% at 5 years. The corresponding rates of graft survival were 93%, 84%, and 84%. (If a patient died with a functioning graft, the calculation was performed as if the graft had survived.) Rejection rates were 8% at 1 year and 22% at 3 years. HIV infection remained well controlled, with undetectable virus in blood after the transplantation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Kidney transplantation from an HIV-positive donor appears to be an additional treatment option for HIV-infected patients requiring renal-replacement therapy. (Funded by Sanofi South Africa and the Roche Organ Transplantation Research Foundation.).
authors: From the Transplant Unit, Department of Surgery (E.M.), Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine (Z.B.), Division of Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine, Department of Medicine (M.M.), and the Department of Surgery (D.K.), University of Cape Town, Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors: Elmi
authors: E
authors: Muller
authors: Zunaid
authors: Z
authors: Barday
authors: Marc
authors: M
authors: Mendelson
authors: Delawir
authors: D
authors: Kahn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D064591:Allografts; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006084:Graft Rejection; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D013019:South Africa; D014019:Tissue Donors
chemical_list: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents