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Transplantation of hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody positive, nucleic acid test negative donor kidneys to HCV negative patients frequently results in seroconversion but not HCV viremia
Author(s) -
de Vera Michael E.,
Volk Michael L.,
Ncube Ziphezinhle,
Blais Shawna,
Robinson Melissa,
Allen Nancy,
Evans Ryan,
Weissman Jill,
Baron Pedro,
Kore Arputharaj,
Bratton Charles,
Garnett Gwendolyn,
Hoang Thanh,
Wai Philip,
Villicana Rafael
Publication year - 2018
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 - 10.1111/ajt.15031
Subject(s) - medicine , seroconversion , nucleic acid test , hepatitis c virus , transplantation , immunosuppression , hepatitis c , viremia , gastroenterology , immunology , kidney transplantation , antibody , virus , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty) , covid-19
Anecdotal reports have suggested that transplantation of hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody positive (Ab+)/nucleic acid test negative (NAT−) donor kidneys into HCV negative recipients is not associated with HCV transmission. We reviewed our center's outcomes of 32 HCV negative patients who received kidney allografts from 25 donors who were HCV Ab+/NAT−. The mean recipient age was 56.9 ± 12.1 years and the mean donor age was 41.5 ± 14 years, with a median Kidney Donor Profile Index (KDPI) of 68%. Twelve donors (48%) met Public Health Service (PHS) increased risk status. All patients received antithymocyte globulin induction followed by tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and steroid maintenance immunosuppression. With a mean follow‐up posttransplant of 10 ± 2.7 months, 1‐ and 3‐ month serum creatinine levels were 1.7 ± 0.8 and 1.3 ± 0.4, respectively, and patient and graft survival rates were 100% and 97%, respectively. Fourteen patients (44%) seroconverted and became HCV Ab+ posttransplant. However, all 32 patients were HCV RNA negative at 1‐ and 3‐ months posttransplant, and 27 and 8 patients tested at 6‐ and 12‐months posttransplant, respectively, remain HCV RNA negative. In conclusion, transplantation of HCV Ab+/NAT− kidneys to HCV negative recipients frequently causes HCV Ab seroconversion but not HCV viremia.