Heart transplant with donor-specific antibody after immunoadsorption plus rituximab: a case report

Prog Transplant. 2013 Jun;23(2):128-31. doi: 10.7182/pit2013454.

Abstract

Different desensitization strategies are available for treating patients with preformed human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies. A highly presensitized heart recipient received immunoadsorption and rituximab therapy. The patient, with end-stage heart failure, was positive only for antibodies of HLA class I (anti-A2, A10, B17), and Luminex platform (One Lambda kit) showed a panel-reactive antibody score of 64%. The patient's serum was tested repeatedly in both complement-dependent cytotoxicity and flow-cytometry crossmatches against cells from different potential organ donors. The results of these crossmatches were positive on flow cytometry when tested with HLA-A2, A10, and B17 but were still negative on cytotoxicity. The patient was treated with a desensitization regimen; this treatment immediately decreased antibody levels of 70% and the patient subsequently received a transplant with donor-specific HLA antibody (HLA-A2). After more than 2 years, graft function remains normal and the clinical status of the patient is stable.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / administration & dosage
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / immunology*
  • Desensitization, Immunologic / methods
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Graft Survival
  • HLA-A Antigens / immunology
  • Heart Transplantation / immunology*
  • Histocompatibility Testing / methods
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulins / administration & dosage*
  • Immunologic Factors / administration & dosage*
  • Immunosorbents / therapeutic use*
  • Isoantibodies / immunology*
  • Male
  • Rituximab

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • HLA-A Antigens
  • Immunoglobulins
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Immunosorbents
  • Isoantibodies
  • Rituximab