Contribution of donor T-lymphocytes to graft immunogenicity

We used genetically T-lymphopenic rats as donors to probe the contribution of T-lymphocytes to graft immunogenicity. Graft survival (GS) of lymphopenic donors was significantly increased as compared to normal donors (median (M) = 17 days vs M = 7d, n = 10). To confirm this observation, we reconstituted 7 lymphopenic rats before organ retrieval with $10 sp7-10 sp8$ purified T-lymphocytes. GS was significantly shorter than with lymphopenic donors (M = 7d, n = 7 vs M = 17d, n = 10). Conversely, we treated 6 normal donors with R7.3 (mouse anti-rat TCR $alpha/ beta$) monoclonal antibody (mab). GS was significantly increased as compared to normal donors (M = 23d, n = 6 vs M = 7d, n = 10). These experiments demonstrate that grafts of T-lymphopenic donors have a longer survival time. This advantage is lost after reconstitution with normal T-lymphocytes. GS is similarly prolonged after treatment of normal donors with anti-T-lymphocytes mab. Thus, donor T-lymphocytes contribute to the graft immunogenicity in this model

Evaluating Deceased Donor Registries: Identifying Predictive Factors of Donor Designation

The objectives of this study were to evaluate and compare the performance of the deceased donor registries of the 50 states and the District of Columbia and to identify possible predictive factors of donor designation. Data were collected retrospectively by Donate Life America using a questionnaire sent to Donor Designation Collaborative state teams between 2007 and 2010. By the end of 2010, there were 94,669,081 designated donors nationwide. This accounted for 39.8 per cent of the U.S. population aged 18 years and over. The number of designated organ donors and registry-authorized recovered donors increased each year; however, the total number of recovered donors in 2010 was the lowest since 2004. Donor designation rate was significantly higher when license applicants were verbally questioned at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) regarding their willingness to register as a donor and when DMV applicants were not given an option on DMV application forms to contribute money to support organ donation, compared with not being questioned verbally, and being offered an option to contribute money. State registries continue to increase the total number of designated organ donors; however, the current availability of organs remains insufficient to meet the demand. These data suggest that DMV applicants who are approached verbally regarding their willingness to register as a donor and not given an option on DMV application forms to contribute money to support organ donation might be more likely to designate themselves to be a donor. </jats:p

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt creation in a polycystic liver facilitated by hybrid cross-sectional/angiographic imaging

Polycystic liver disease (PCLD) has long been considered to represent a contraindication to transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation, primarily because of the risk of hemorrhage. Three-dimensional (3D) navigation within the enlarged and potentially disorienting parenchyma can now be performed during the procedure with the development of C-arm cone-beam computed tomography, which relies on the same equipment already used for angiography. Such a hybrid 3D reconstruction-enabled angiography system was used for safe image guidance of a TIPS procedure in a patient with PCLD. This technology has the potential to expedite any image-guided procedure that requires 3D navigation

Influence of immunosuppression on seroconversion against SARS-CoV-2 in two kidney transplant recipients.

Solid organ transplant recipients are at risk for infectious complications due to chronic immunosuppression. The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the United States has raised growing concerns for the transplant patient population. We seek to add to the current limited literature on COVID-19 in transplant recipients by describing the clinical course of two kidney transplant recipients with SARS-CoV-2 infection monitored by both RT-PCR and serology. Through careful adjustment of their immunosuppression regimen, both patients had excellent recovery with intact graft function and development of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies

Influence of immunosuppression on seroconversion against SARS-CoV-2 in two kidney transplant recipients.

Solid organ transplant recipients are at risk for infectious complications due to chronic immunosuppression. The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the United States has raised growing concerns for the transplant patient population. We seek to add to the current limited literature on COVID-19 in transplant recipients by describing the clinical course of two kidney transplant recipients with SARS-CoV-2 infection monitored by both RT-PCR and serology. Through careful adjustment of their immunosuppression regimen, both patients had excellent recovery with intact graft function and development of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies