Approximately 10 percent of deceased donor kidneys are considered
“high-risk” for infection (HIV, HCV, HBV) and disease transmission
according to criteria set by the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention. But new research suggests that many of these organs are safe
and therefore should not be labeled as high risk. Results of this study
will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2013 Nov. 5-10, 2013 at the
Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.
Researchers led by Moya Gallagher, RN, of New York-Presbyterian
Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, found that since 2004, a
total of 170 patients received kidneys that met CDC’s high-risk criteria
at Columbia University Medical Center. In addition to standard
pre-transplant blood screening for HIV, HCV, and HBV, these patients
were also screened by antibody and DNA testing at 6, 12, and 24 weeks
post transplant. All patients received standard immunosuppressive
therapy.
Read more... Labels: Organ Donation, transplant