Acute Antibody-Mediated Rejection in Kidney Transplant Based on the 2013 Banff Criteria: Single-Center Experience in Uruguay

Abstract

Background: Acute antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) diagnosis criteria have changed in recent consensus of Banff, with current evidence of C4d-negative AMR. Our objective was to evaluate incidence of AMR in renal transplantation according to Banff 2013 criteria and to examine the histological features and outcome.

Methods: This retrospective study involved all kidney transplants with histological diagnosis of acute rejection (AR) at our center between 2000 and 2014. All the biopsies with AR were re-assessed by a nephro-pathologist and classified by use of the Banff 2013 criteria.

Results: Of 205 kidney transplants, biopsy-proven AR was diagnosed in 25 cases (12%). Re-assessing them according to Banff 2013 criteria, AMR was diagnosed in 17 (8.3%) and represented 68% of the confirmed rejections. AMR diagnosis was performed on day 23 ± 26, with median of 11 days. From the 17 cases, 7 had concomitant T-cell-mediated rejection. All cases presented endothelial edema and acute tubular necrosis. Glomerulitis was found in 12 cases and capillaritis in 14. In 3, associated thrombotic micro-angiopathy (TMA) was found. Intimal and transmural arteritis was evidenced in 5 and 1 patient. In 2, transplant glomerulopathy was present. Seven of the 10 biopsies with C4d staining in the peri-tubular capillaries were positive. Twelve cases received plasmapheresis, 6 received gamma-globulin, and 6 received rituximab. After administration of anti-AMR therapy, 16 cases recovered renal function, reaching a serum creatinine level of 1.5 ± 0.6 mg %. Graft survival at 1 year was lower in the AMR group versus patients without AMR (81.9% vs 98.9%, log-rank test, P < .001). Risk factors for AMR were re-transplant (30% vs 7%, P = .02), HLA-DR mismatch (1.06 ± 0.65 vs 0.7 ± 0.6, P = .03), panel-reactive antibody (28% ± 33 vs 6.2 ± 13, P = .00), and delayed graft function (82% vs 30%, P = .00).

Conclusions: Adapting the new Banff 2013 criteria increased the sensitivity of the diagnosis of ARM. Regarding our data, despite an adequate response to the therapy, it resulted in a worse graft survival by the first year of renal transplant.