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Treatment of antibody‐mediated accelerated rejection using plasmapheresis
Author(s) -
Madan Atul K.,
Slakey Douglas P.,
Becker Anita,
Gill Javed I.,
Heneghan Jean L.,
Sullivan Karen A.,
Cheng Stephen
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
journal of clinical apheresis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.697
H-Index - 46
eISSN - 1098-1101
pISSN - 0733-2459
DOI - 10.1002/1098-1101(2000)15:3<180::aid-jca5>3.0.co;2-6
Subject(s) - plasmapheresis , medicine , antibody , immunology , immunosuppression , isoantibodies , apheresis , transplantation , platelet
Accelerated antibody‐mediated rejection is believed to be due to an anamnestic response of an allograft recipient to donor antigens. Few reports have demonstrated successful reversal of this type of rejection, and no consensus exists for either diagnosis or treatment. Accelerated antibody‐mediated rejection was suspected on the basis of clinical findings and confirmed by cytotoxic and flow crossmatches, and leukocyte antibody screens. Serial crossmatches and antibody screens were performed through post‐transplant day 112. Plasmapheresis was performed on post‐transplant days 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 14, 20, and 28. The duration of treatment was determined by the cytotoxic crossmatch results. We present a case of successfully treated accelerated antibody‐mediated rejection using plasmapheresis and aggressive immunosuppression. Serial crossmatch and leukocyte antibody screen results are presented that confirm the production of anti‐donor antibody and demonstrate the effectiveness of the treatment protocol in eliminating detectable levels of the anti‐donor antibody. At 6 months post‐transplant, the patient has a serum creatinine of 1.1 and has not had any additional rejection episodes or infectious complications. The protocol suggested in this paper allows for rapid diagnosis, institution of treatment, and monitoring the efficacy of treatment, providing the basis for follow‐up clinical trials. J. Clin. Apheresis 15:180–183, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.