by Abhideep Chaudhary  , Anish Gupta  , Imtiakum Jamir  , Niteen Kumar  and Gaurav Sood

Received: 23 October 2023;  Published: 01 April 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2402210

With the progressive rise in rates of liver transplantation, stagnant donor pool, and social factors, living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) forms the majority of liver transplantations performed in Asian countries. As the global prevalence of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is increasing, around 17-25% of all the prospective donors turn out to be steatotic at the time of evaluation and, as such, rejected for donor hepatectomy, thereby considerably reducing the living donor pool. Steatotic graft [...]

by Syed Nazeer Mahmood  and Amit K. Mahajan

Received: 12 September 2023;  Published: 27 March 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2401209

Lung transplantation in patients with end stage lung disease can improve survival and quality of life. Airway complication incidence varies between 2-33%, but the true incidence is difficult to determine due to a lack of validated classification systems. There are many risk factors for post lung transplant airway complications, the most common being anastomotic ischemia, pulmonary infections, surgical technique and allograph dysfunction. Common complications include formation of granulation tissue, anastomotic sten [...]

by Bruno A Lima

Received: 15 December 2023;  Published: 11 March 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2401208

Human Leucocyte Antigens (HLA) constitute a highly polymorphic set of genes pivotal to the immune response. The HLA heterozygous advantage hypothesis assumes that heterozygous individuals at the HLA level have a wider range of peptides for T cell recognition than homozygous individuals. Consequently, they possess an enhanced capacity to trigger a targeted immune reaction. The divergent allele advantage hypothesis is an extension of heterozygous advantage, considering the excessive sequence divergence between allele [...]

by Onix Cantres-Fonseca  , Shambhu Aryal  , Christopher King  and Steven D. Nathan

Received: 25 May 2023;  Published: 20 February 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2401207

Chronic allograft dysfunction (CLAD) is one of the leading causes of death after lung transplantation [1]. CLAD is a progressive and irreversible decline in lung function after transplant, manifested as an obstructive, restrictive, or mixed ventilatory impairment without any identifiable etiology as infection or acute rejection. Multiple risk factors have been associated with this condition. Despite its significant effect on the mortality of transplanted patients, there is still a lack of powerfully effective thera [...]

by Sarah I. Willi  , Ulrike Bacher  , Marie Noelle Kronig  , Michael Daskalakis  , Lia Bally  and Thomas Pabst

Received: 29 July 2023;  Published: 04 February 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2401206

Malnutrition remains a clinical challenge in AML patients undergoing autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT), leading to physical deconditioning and prolonged hospitalization. Prospective data are mainly lacking to identify those patients who may particularly benefit from parenteral nutrition in this setting. This observational, non-randomized, retrospective, exploratory cohort study assessed the nutritional development in patients following high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) with ASCT and explored the [...]

by OBM Transplantation Editorial Office

Received: 03 January 2024;  Published: 04 January 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2401205

The editors of OBM Transplantation would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2023. We greatly appreciate the contribution of expert reviewers, which is crucial to the journal’s editorial process. We aim to recognize reviewer contributions through several mechanisms, of which the annual publication of reviewer names is one. Reviewers can download a certificate of recognition directly from our submission system. Additionally, reviewers can sign up to t [...]

by Francesco Peracchi  , Giovanna Travi  , Marco Merli  , Roberto Rossotti  , Fulvio Crippa  and Massimo Puoti

Received: 14 June 2023;  Published: 01 December 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2304204

SARS-CoV-2 infection has significantly impacted solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients, who are at high risk of disease and worse outcomes. Moreover, therapeutic management in this population is not precise yet. Our study aimed to evaluate the overall survival of SOT recipients and predictive factors for mortality. We also aimed to assess the impact of antiviral treatments and immunosuppressant changes on overall mortality and to evaluate the length of hospital stay of SOT compared to the general population. This [...]

by Shefali Mody  , Soham Nadkarni  , Shreyash Vats  , Akshay Kumar  , Sravanthi Nandavaram  and Suresh Keshavamurthy

Received: 09 July 2023;  Published: 23 November 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2304203

The shortage of donor lungs for transplantation is a major challenge, resulting in longer waitlist times for patients with a higher risk of waitlist mortality. It is crucial to continue promoting awareness about organ donation through legislation, public campaigns, and health care provider education. Only a small number of cadaveric donors meet the ideal criteria for lung donation, leaving many lungs unused. Donor lung utilization can be improved by carefully considering the extended-criteria donors, actively parti [...]

by Brandon M Menachem  , Sandrine Hanna  , Deepika Kulkarni  and Hakim Azfar Ali

Received: 08 June 2023;  Published: 21 November 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2304202

Treatment options for end stage lung diseases are limited to stabilizing lung failure, decreasing disease progression, and symptom management, but significant reversal of lost lung function is often not possible. For well selected patients, lung transplantation may be a viable option to improve both longevity and quality of life. Though outcomes for lung transplant recipients have improved over several decades, long term survival still lags behind that of other solid organ transplant recipients. Longevity after lun [...]

by Mostafa T. Mohammed  , Esmat Al Sharkawy  , Amel M. Kamal Eldin  , Emad Allam  , Manal M. Saber  , Anthony Nassar  , Nour Younis  , Christa Deban  , Ahmad Jaser  , Indira Guleria  , Basset El Essawy  , Anil Chandraker  , Mahmoud Nasr  and Jamil R. Azzi

Received: 15 March 2023;  Published: 06 November 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2304201

Human leukocyte antigens (HLA) are unique proteins expressed on the surface of human cells, playing a pivotal role in the immune system, particularly in the contexts of infection, cancer, and transplantation. The widespread adoption of HLA typing methods has become an essential component in assessing donor-recipient compatibility, a crucial limiting factor in solid organ transplantation. In general, the greater the disparity between a donor's and recipient's HLA types, the higher the likelihood of provoking an allo [...]

by Biagio Pinchera  , Rosa Carrano  , Emilia Trucillo  , Alessia D'Agostino  , Alessia Sardanelli  , Simona Mercinelli  , Fabrizio Salemi  , Amerigo Piccione  , Elisa Schettino  , Paolo Romano  , Gianluca Rompianesi  , Roberto Ivan Troisi  and Ivan Gentile

Received: 19 July 2023;  Published: 01 November 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2304200

The rising prevalence of MDR pathogens has a significant impact on the recipients' outcome, as this increases the risk of graft complications and makes the management of the peri-transplant phase more difficult. Among the different MDR germs, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) represents one of the most frequently isolated pathogens. We report for the first time the off-label use of Ceftaroline in six kidney transplant recipients with donor peritransplantation MRSA bacteremia at the Division of Kidn [...]

by Aml Labib  , Jitesh Jeswani  and Durga AK Kanigicherla

Received: 26 June 2023;  Published: 13 October 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2304199

IgAN is a major cause of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) leading to kidney transplantation in a significant proportion of patients. However, its recurrence in transplanted kidneys can lead to graft loss. The rate of graft loss attributable to IgAN after transplantation is variably reported in different retrospective cohorts. Previous reports describe recurrence rates of 22-58% with a 1.3% to 16% rate of graft loss. Accurate diagnosis and prediction of graft loss are important for planning effective therapies to imp [...]

by Niccolò Castellani Nicolini  , Jacopo Belfiore  and Giandomenico Biancofiore

Received: 14 May 2023;  Published: 13 October 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2304198

Liver transplantation (LT) is a life-saving treatment representing the only viable option for patients suffering from end-stage liver disease (ESLD) or acute liver failure. Patients who undergo LT require a multidisciplinary approach to postoperative pain management. However, pain management in this context is often inadequately explored. Limited options exist for proper pain control in patients with hepatic failure, mainly due to the increased risk of kidney and multi-organ failure. In LT candidates, specific anal [...]

by Christopher Thomas  , Matthias Williams  and Oksana A. Shlobin

Received: 07 August 2023;  Published: 11 October 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2304197

Lung transplantation is a last-resort treatment option for patients with end stage lung disease. The procedure is being performed more frequently and scientific advances continue to be made, but the median post-transplant survival is far shorter than other solid organ transplant recipients. Candidate selection is a resource intensive process that attempts to balance risks of the procedure with the benefits of much higher quality of life. Transplant centers must weigh disease specific considerations, medical comorbi [...]

by Somaye-Sadat Heidari  , Nooshin Dalili  , Shiva Samavat  , Shiva Kalantari  , Leonard Foster  , Kyung-Mee Moon  and Mohsen Nafar

Received: 12 July 2023;  Published: 25 September 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2303196

Acute antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) is a severe complication affecting kidney allografts' long-term survival. Timely detection and appropriate treatment of AMR are crucial for improving graft outcomes. This study aimed to discover non-invasive urinary biomarkers that can predict the response to therapy in patients with AMR. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, urine samples from 21 biopsy-proven AMR patients underwent proteomics using label-free quantification. The patients were divided into two g [...]

by Nour Ben Abdeljelil  , Rimmel Yosra Kanoun  , Roua Hsasna  , Rabeb Jaied  , Sabrine Mekni  , Siwar Frigui  , Lamia Torjemane  , Dorra Belloumi  , Ines Turki  , Rihab Ouerghi  , Insaf Ben yaiche  , Wafa Achour  , Saloua Ladeb  and Tarek Ben Othman

Received: 12 April 2023;  Published: 12 September 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2303195

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a common and severe complication following allogeneic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) and requires effective preemptive antiviral therapy. Both oral and intravenous (IV) antiviral agents effectively reduce CMV viral load and achieve viral clearance. Studies comparing oral and IV anti-CMV preemptive treatment in ASCT patients with CMV reactivation showed a potential difference in treatment response and safety profiles between the two administration routes. We retrospectively compa [...]

by Paayal Naidu  , William Sandawana Majoni  , Toby Coates  and Manohar Mogulla

Received: 11 May 2023;  Published: 04 September 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2303194

Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) in kidney transplant recipients is uncommon and difficult to manage, often with poor graft outcomes [1]. This is a complex and interesting case of an older, highly sensitised kidney transplant recipient who presented with de novo post-transplant TMA in the setting of antibody mediated rejection (ABMR), with other drivers being tacrolimus toxicity, cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and anti-SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination. This led to rapid, irrecoverable graft loss. 76-year-old f [...]

by Domingo J. Franco-Palacios  , Lisa Allenspach  , Lisa Stagner  , Kelly Bryce  , Jane Simanovski  and Hassan Nemeh

Received: 01 May 2023;  Published: 17 July 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2303193

In the United States of America, COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and post-COVID pulmonary fibrosis (PCPF) are raising indications for lung transplant (LT). Another indication for LT is underlying fibrosis with SARS-CoV-2 induced interstitial lung disease exacerbation or rapid progressing fibrosis. Only a few centers have reported on their long-term outcomes after LT for COVID-19. Single center retrospective chart review of patients transplanted for COVID-19 related lung disease. The Henry Ford H [...]

by Uttayan Chakrabarti  , Manish Chaturvedy  , Nitin Kumar Bajpai  , Jitendra Goswami  , Rajesh Kumar Garsa  and Rajesh Jhorawat

Received: 10 April 2023;  Published: 14 July 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2303192

BK virus (BKV) is a common opportunistic pathogen in kidney transplant recipients and one of the most challenging causes of allograft dysfunction and loss. Although over-immunosuppression remains the primary risk factor for BKV infection after transplantation, male gender, older recipient age, prior rejection episodes, degree of human leukocyte antigen mismatching, prolonged cold ischemia time, BK virus serostatus and ureteral stent placement have all been implicated as risk factors. Routine screening post-renal tr [...]

by Mohsen Nafar  , Shiva Samavat  , Nooshin Dalili  , Shiva Kalantari  , Leonard Foster  , Kyung-Mee Moon  and Somaye-Sadat Heidari

Received: 25 May 2023;  Published: 07 July 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2303191

Acute rejection (AR) is one of the main predictors of long-term survival of allograft. The development of noninvasive diagnostic biomarkers of AR is an unmet need for the timely detection. This study aimed to identify novel detective biomarkers of AR by analyzing the urine proteome profile of transplant patients. Forty-two transplant patients including 30 biopsy-proven AR patients (including antibody and T-cell mediated rejection) and 12 transplant patients with stable renal function (control group) were enrolled. [...]

by Michael B. Keller  , Temesgen E. Andargie  and Sean Agbor-Enoh

Received: 16 March 2023;  Published: 26 June 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2302190

Advances in the use of molecular biomarkers to guide management of lung transplant recipients are emerging. One such biomarker, donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA), has the potential to alter traditional approaches of lung transplant management, including the detection of acute rejection or infection, surveillance monitoring strategies, risk stratification of vulnerable patient populations and molecular phenotyping of various forms of allograft injury. The emergence of novel genetic and epigenetic approaches uti [...]

by Martin Igbokwe  , Olalekan Olatise  , Thelma Olatise  , Abu Sadiq  , Abayomi Aremu  , Uzodinma Onwuasoanya  , Ahmad Lawal  , Ikechukwu Anosike  , Adegboyega Faponle  , Adam Ochigbo  , Chukwunonso Epundu  , Stephen Asaolu  , Sani Al Hassan  and Rashad Hazem

Received: 19 March 2023;  Published: 19 June 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2302189

With the rise in the population of patients with End-stage Renal Disease (ESRD) in Nigeria, there is an increased demand for Renal Replacement Therapy (RRT) including kidney transplantation (KT). We present our initial surgical experience and early outcomes with KT at a Nigerian transplant center over 2 years. A 2-year retrospective review of patients who underwent KT was done. Data of both kidney donors and recipients were recorded in designed proformas. Extracted information included demographic characteristics, [...]

by Costanza Rossi  , Vincenzo Scorcia  , Massimiliano Borselli  , Giuseppe Giannaccare  , Rossella Spena  and Andrea Lucisano

Received: 20 April 2023;  Published: 15 June 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2302188

This article aims to provide some personal surgical tips to increase the success rate of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK), a very advantageous yet complex procedure for treating keratoconus. The most troublesome surgical step is obtaining a successful pneumatic dissection of the deep stromal tissue, allowing the exposure of a deep cleavage plane. The following tips may aid the trainee surgeon in mastering this step, among others: performing a deep trephination, using intraoperative anterior segment optica [...]

by S.Amitha Banu  and Khan Sharun

Received: 25 May 2023;  Published: 02 June 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2302187

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a promising tool in regenerative medicine because it stimulates tissue repair and regeneration. PRP contains a high concentration of platelets, growth factors, and cytokines involved in the healing process. This editorial paper aims to give an overview of PRP in regenerative medicine and its potential applications in various medical fields such as orthopedics, dentistry, dermatology, and wound healing. PRP can be integrated with other regenerative therapies, such as stem cell and gene [...]

by Atena Samarehfekri  , Mohammad Ali Zakeri  , Hemn Kaka Mirza  , Adnan Rashid Aziz  and Mahlagha Dehghan

Received: 21 December 2022;  Published: 02 June 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2302186

Foot reflexology has improved numerous physical and psychological symptoms in patients. The researchers in this study aimed to investigate the effect of foot reflexology on laboratory parameters, intake/output/weight and medication regimen after kidney transplant surgery. The research was a secondary analysis of a parallel randomized controlled trial. The research included patients who were admitted to the transplantation ward. The stratified randomization approach divided 53 eligible patients into two groups: foot [...]