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Desensitization and Subsequent Kidney Transplantation of Patients Using Intravenous Immunoglobulins (IVIg)
Author(s) -
Glotz Denis,
Antoine Corinne,
Julia Pierre,
SuberbielleBoissel Caroline,
Boudjeltia Samir,
Fraoui Rabah,
Hacen Chafic,
Duboust Alain,
Bariety Jean
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
american journal of transplantation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.89
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1600-6143
pISSN - 1600-6135
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-6143.2002.20809.x
Subject(s) - medicine , transplantation , desensitization (medicine) , antibody , kidney transplantation , surgery , titer , antibody titer , cadaveric spasm , kidney , thrombosis , gastroenterology , immunology , receptor
Transplantation of patients possessing antibodies against allo‐HLA antigens can be delayed for years. We have shown that administration of intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) can induce a profound and sustained decrease in the titers of anti‐HLA antibodies. We report here the first series of patients desensitized, then transplanted using IVIg therapy. Fifteen patients have been included and treated with IVIg, given as 3 monthly courses of 2 g/kg body weight. Thirteen of those 15 patients (87%) were effectively desensitized and underwent immediate transplantation. Eleven were transplanted with a cadaveric donor, and two with a living donor against which the pretreatment cross‐match was positive. One graft was lost from thrombosis and one from rejection. All other patients had uneventful courses, without any episodes of rejection, with a follow‐up of more than 1 year. Thus, IVIg therapy allows safe and prompt kidney transplantation of immunized patients.