Clinical outcome and accommodation in ABO incompatible kidney transplantation

Clin Transpl. 2004:135-42.

Abstract

We performed 84 ABO-incompatible kidney transplants at Toho University since 1989, with plasmapheresis and exchange replacing AB blood group plasma as pre-conditioning to reduce anti-donor blood group antibodies. Our current immunosuppression protocol consists of basiliximab, MMF, steroid, and cyclosporine or tacrolimus, including splenectomy. Overall patient/ graft survival rates (n=84) were 95/93 at one year, 94/92 at 3 years, 87/80 at 5 years, 87/75 at 7 years, and 83/67 at 10 years. The outcomes are similar to those of ABO-compatible living donor transplants. We have achieved 100% graft and patient survival rates (n=48) for the 7 years since January 1997. Our findings suggest that post-conditioning is not necessary to control titers of anti-donor blood group antibodies or to overcome acute humoral rejection. Infection control is critical in achieving good outcomes in ABO-incompatible transplants. We found that only anti-donor blood group antibodies in blood group O recipients of ABO-incompatible kidneys were specifically suppressed one year after transplantation. This appeared to be a type of accommodation in which there was no immunological response despite the co-existence of donor antigen and antibody, and might have been caused by down-regulation of B cells to produce anti-donor antibody.

MeSH terms

  • ABO Blood-Group System
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Graft Rejection
  • Graft Survival
  • Histocompatibility Testing
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppression Therapy
  • Isoantibodies / blood
  • Japan / epidemiology
  • Kidney Transplantation / adverse effects
  • Kidney Transplantation / immunology*
  • Kidney Transplantation / mortality
  • Living Donors
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Survival Rate
  • Transplantation Conditioning
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • ABO Blood-Group System
  • Isoantibodies