International Journal of Organ Transplantation Medicine
Volume:7 Issue: 1, Winter 2016

There is limited clinical evidence evaluating the correlation between immunosuppressant monitoring practice and transplant outcomes. To assess current practice of tacrolimus trough monitoring in early post-operative period following liver transplantation (LT), and its impact on outcomes. The duration to trough levels (DTT) were calculated in patients undergoing primary LT. The impact of variability in DTT on graft rejection episodes, serum tacrolimus level and renal function was assessed. These results were converted into a drug level estimation tool, which was validated in a prospective cohort of patients. 2946 events in 274 patients were evaluated. The median DTT was 7:19 hrs (range: 27 min to 19:38 hrs). In 72% (2140 events) of the occasions, DTT was <8 hrs. There was a significant (p=0.022) correlation between DTT and tacrolimus level. Despite clinical decisions were taken to modify the dose of tacrolimus based on trough level, neither did DTT affect the average creatinine levels (p=0.923), nor the variability in DTT did affect acute rejection (p=0.914, and 0.712, respectively). A dose estimation tool was developed and applied to validation cohort (n=612), and returned a moderate R2 value of 0.50. There is a significant variation in the “real world” monitoring of tacrolimus with DTT in majority of measurements falling below recommendations; reassuringly, this did not lead to adverse transplant sequelae.

Periodontitis is an important oral disease. Stem cell therapy has found its way in treatment of many diseases. To evaluate the regenerative potential of periodontal ligament-derived stem cells (PDLSCs) and osteoblast differentiated from PDLSC in comparison with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) and pre-osteoblasts in calvarial defects. After proving the existence of surface markers by flow cytometry, BM-MSCs were differentiated into osteoblasts. 5 defects were made on rabbit calvaria. 3 of them were first covered with collagen membrane and then with BM-MSCs, PDLSCs, and pre-osteoblasts. The 4th defect was filled with collagen membrane and the 5th one was served as control. After 4 weeks, histological (quantitative) and histomorphological (qualitative) surveys were performed. Both cell lineages were positive for CD-90 cell marker, which was specifically related to stem cells. Alizarin red staining was done for showing mineral material. RT-PCR set up for the expression of Cbfa1 gene, BMP4 gene, and PGLAP gene, confirmed osteoblast differentiation. The findings indicated that although PDLSCs and pre-osteoblasts could be used for bone regeneration, the rate of regeneration in BM-MSCs-treated cavities was more significant (p<0.0001). The obtained results are probably attributable to the effective micro-environmental signals caused by different bone types and the rate of cell maturation.

Organ transplantation program in developing countries is still significantly dwarfed. Health workers are undeniably important in the success of transplantation. To assess the knowledge and attitude of health workers toward organ donation in South-West Nigeria with a view to explaining reasons for these shortcomings. In a cross-sectional study conducted on 850 health care workers, self-administered questionnaires were used to obtain information from participants. Of 850 participants, 766 (90.1%) returned their completed questionnaires. The mean±SD age of participants was 36.7±9.2 years. Majority (93.3%) of participants had heard of organ donation; 82.5% had desirable knowledge. Only 29.5% and 39.4% would be willing to donate and counsel potential organ donors, respectively; 36.5% would consider signing organ donation cards. Only 19.4% believed that organ transplantation is often effective and 63.4% believed they were permitted by their religion to donate. Permission by religion (OR 3.5; 95% CI 2.3 to 5.3), good knowledge (OR 2.9; 95% CI 1.4 to 5.7), readiness to sign donation cards (OR 2.6; 95% CI 1.7 to 3.8), discuss organ donation (OR 2.7; 95%CI 8.0 to 63.8), and knowing somebody who had donated (OR 2.9) independently influenced willingness to donate organ. There is disparity in knowledge of organ donation and willingness to donate among health care workers. Efforts should be intensified to give comprehensive and appropriate education to health care workers about organ donation to bridge this gap.

Of the overall 9.5 million deaths annually in India, nearly 100,000 are due to organ failure. To save and extend lives, organ donation and organ transplantation have become the only hope. Health care professionals (HCPs) are a key element in facilitating cadaveric organ donation process. To assess and compare the knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding organ donation among undergraduate dental students. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 298 undergraduate dental students of the Panineeya Institute of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Hyderabad, India. A 27-item self-administered questionnaire, which assessed the levels of knowledge (Q1–13), positive attitude (Q14–24) and practice habits (Q25–27) regarding organ donation with dichotomous scale (Yes/No). As compared to males, females reported better mean±SD scores in knowledge (8.22±1.51) and practice (0.91±0.8); higher mean±SD attitude scores (8.55±1.56) were reported among males (p<0.001). While second year dental students had higher scores for their knowledge (8.55±1.56) and practice (1.02±0.44) compared to other year of training, third year students showed a significant higher mean attitude score (1.73±1.17) (p=0.02). Hindus and Muslims scored significantly lower mean knowledge, attitude and practice habits compared to others (Christians, Jains and Athesists) (p<0.001). There was a positive correlation between mean knowledge, attitude, and practice habits. There are an average level of knowledge and low levels of positive attitude and practice habits among studied dental students towards organ donation and transplantation.

Fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis (FCH) is an aggressive form of hepatitis C virus (HCV) recurrence after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), which frequently results in graft failure and death. Treatment of FCH remains challenging, and the optimal antiviral therapy is yet to be determined. Between November 2013 and early 2015, 62 patients with HCV cirrhosis underwent OLT at our transplant center, of whom, 5 patients developed recurrence HCV in the form of severe FCH and were treated with sofosbuvir and simeprevir (SOF-SMV) for 24 weeks. All patients achieved significant improvement of HCV viral load and had undetectable viral PCR at 6–8 week of treatment. The HCV RNA remained undetectable throughout treatment course. The first two patients achieved SVR at week 12 after completion of the treatment. There were significant histologic and biomarkers improvements after initiation of the treatment. One patient developed refractory pruritus and acute pancreatitis. The second, fourth and fifth patients had very benign treatment courses with no side effects recorded. The third patient was starting the treatment with multiple comorbid conditions. His course was complicated with hepatic artery thrombosis, and later developed sepsis and renal failure. Therefore, it seems that the combination of SOF-SMV is an efficacious oral regimen in OLT recipient with recurrent hepatitis C and FCH. However, safety profile needs to be carefully evaluated.

Renal cell carcinoma is usually seen in the native kidney but may be seen in the renal allograft. We report a rare case of renal cell carcinoma in a 56-year-old renal allograft recipient who was transplanted for end-stage renal disease induced by analgesic nephropathy. This complication developed after 13 years of renal transplantation. Patient was investigated for hematuria and abdominal pain with a normal renal function. Computed tomography depicted a mass sized 9.0×7.3×6.8 cm that involved the upper pole of the transplant. There was no metastasis. The patient underwent radical allograft nephrectomy for the carcinoma that had extended up to the renal hilum. Histopathological examination revealed Furhman grade-1, clear cell variant, stage pT2 N0 M0. In the last visit, the patient was on maintenance hemodialysis via arterio-venous fistula and planned for cadaveric renal transplantation. Computed tomography could facilitate early diagnosis and proper management of patients with post-renal allograft renal cell carcinoma.

Post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a serious complication of solid organ transplantation that occurs due to immunosuppression and other risk factors. PTLD may present with involvement of other organs and with unusual presentation. The presentation is often extranodal (e.g., in the gastrointestinal tract, lung, or the central nervous system). Herein, we report on a 1.5-year-old girl who underwent liver transplantation almost 5 months prior to admission. She was on medications such as tacrolimus and prednisolone. Her presentation was started with symptoms of the upper respiratory infection followed by croupy cough and respiratory distress with no response to usual treatments. She had respiratory arrest during broncoscopy. Therefore, emergency tracheostomy was done. Biopsy from the paratracheal mass revealed large B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (PTLD, monomorphic and high grade). This case presentation shows that persistent upper airway symptoms, particularly stridor and croupy cough, in children who underwent liver transplant should be further evaluated; the physician needs to have a high degree of clinical suspicion for the diagnosis of PTLD in this situation.