ABO-incompatible pediatric kidney transplantation in a single-center trial

Pediatr Nephrol. 2000 Jan;14(1):1-5. doi: 10.1007/s004670050001.

Abstract

We have performed ten pediatric kidney transplantations from living-related ABO-incompatible donors. All patients underwent preoperative plasmapheresis with or without immunoadsorption to reduce isoagglutinin. Primary immunosuppression consisted of methyl-prednisolone, cyclosporin or tacrolimus, azathioprine, anti-lymphocyte globulin, and/or deoxyspergualin. At transplantation splenectomy was simultaneously performed in all patients. Median follow-up is 65 months (range 4-95 months). The patient and graft survival rates are 100% to date. Post-transplantation isoagglutinin titers did not increase more than 1:32, except for 1 patient, without uncontrollable vascular rejection episodes. Despite the heavy immunosuppressive regimen, cytomegalovirus infection occurred in only three patients, who were successfully treated with ganciclovir and cytomegalovirus high-titer gamma globulin. Our small series clearly shows that the preoperative reduction of isoagglutinin, splenectomy, and strict immunosuppressive therapy lead to successful long-term results in children.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • ABO Blood-Group System / immunology*
  • Adolescent
  • Blood Group Incompatibility*
  • Child
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Graft Rejection / epidemiology
  • Graft Rejection / prevention & control
  • Graft Survival
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Kidney Transplantation / immunology*
  • Male
  • Postoperative Complications

Substances

  • ABO Blood-Group System
  • Immunosuppressive Agents