ABO-incompatible deceased donor liver transplantation with the use of antigen-specific immunoadsorption and anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody

Clin Transplant. 2006 Mar-Apr;20(2):265-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-0012.2005.00470.x.

Abstract

In patients with fulminant liver failure requiring emergency liver transplantation, the only donor organ that becomes available may be ABO incompatible. The risk of graft failure because of antibody-mediated acute rejection is high, but can be reduced by various means. We reported a deceased donor ABO-incompatible liver allograft recipient who was treated with antigen-specific immunoadsorption in combination with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody and conventional plasmapheresis and immunosuppression. The patient was a 33-yr-old male with blood group A who presented with subacute liver failure of unknown aetiology and received a blood group AB liver graft. Pretransplant he underwent plasmapheresis and received one dose of rituximab. The immunosuppressive regimen consisted of methylprednisolone, tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil. Despite regular post-operative plasmapheresis sessions, anti-B antibody titres increased. Antigen-specific immunoadsorption with depletion of anti-B antibodies was performed from day nine to day 17. Thereafter, anti-B IgM and IgG antibody titres remained low. After one month the patient was reoperated with hepaticojejunostomy because of bile duct necrosis and with reconstruction of a stenotic hepatic artery. A mild rejection was successfully treated with methylprednisolone four months post-transplant. At six months post-transplant there was a stricture of the biliary-enteric anastomosis, but the graft was well functioning. We conclude that antigen-specific immunoadsorption can be an important adjuvant therapy to control recipient anti-A/B antibody levels and prevent acute rejection in ABO-incompatible deceased donor liver transplantation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • ABO Blood-Group System*
  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antigens, CD / immunology
  • Antigens, CD20 / immunology*
  • Blood Group Incompatibility*
  • Cadaver
  • Humans
  • Immunosorbent Techniques
  • Liver Failure, Acute / surgery
  • Liver Transplantation / immunology*
  • Male
  • Tissue Donors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • ABO Blood-Group System
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antigens, CD
  • Antigens, CD20