by M Wehming  , A Briem-Richter  , R Ganschow  , F Brinkert  , B Winkler  , L Fischer  and Enke Grabhorn

Received: 07 June 2020;  Published: 25 January 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2101135

Some malignancies such as hepatoblastoma may be an indication for liver transplantation (LT) or some, for example, post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) may develop after successful LT. An immunosuppressive therapy after LT can promote the recurrence of the primary malignancy. The mammalian target-of-rapamycin inhibitors (mTORi) are immunosuppressive agents with anti-tumor properties. We examined the impact of everolimus (EVL) together with calcineurin inhibitors on allograft outcome and patient surviv [...]

by Olivia C Smibert  , Joseph S Doyle  , Adam WJ Jenney  , David Pilcher  , Miranda A Paraskeva  , Glen P Westall  and Greg I Snell

Received: 16 September 2020;  Published: 13 January 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2101134

Since 2018 The American Society of Transplant has recommended that Hepatitis C Virus seropositive positive, non-viremic donors (HCVAb+/NAT-) be considered non-infectious and safe for transplantation. This report describes clinical outcomes and HCV serological and virological outcomes following lung transplantation (LTx) utilizing such donors. This retrospective cohort study describes seven HCVAb+/NAT- donors used for bilateral LTx. Donor information was sourced from the national organ donation service and recipient [...]

by Anis Chaba  , Manon Dekeyser  , Julie Oniszczuk  and Antoine Durrbach

Received: 30 August 2020;  Published: 11 January 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2101133

Kidney transplantation has become the preferred treatment option in end-stage chronic renal failure as it provides significant improvements over dialysis in terms of both quality and duration of life. Even after several randomized studies conducted in the last 20 years, the combination of CNI, MMF, and steroids continues to be considered the gold standard for kidney transplantation. However, novel molecules aimed at minimizing renal and cardiovascular toxicity, particularly with CNI sparing, are being identified. T [...]

by OBM Transplantation Editorial Office

Received: 04 January 2021;  Published: 06 January 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2101132

The editors of OBM Transplantation would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2020. 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 receive a voucher entitling them to a discount on their next LIDSEN publication and can download a certificate of recogni [...]

by Inês Pessanha  , Catarina Cunha  , Cláudia Piedade  , Emanuel Furtado  and Maria Francelina Lopes

Received: 09 August 2020;  Published: 05 January 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2101131

Diaphragmatic Hernia (DH) after Liver Transplantation (LT) is a rare complication with unclear pathophysiology. Among 261 LT, we recognized six DH during the post transplant period (2.30%). All patients with DH had received a left lateral segment (LLS) reduced graft. The mean graft weight was 340g with a mean graft-to-recipient body weight ratio (GBWR) of 4.20%. LLS grafts, a GBWR > 4%, previous abdominal surgery and direct trauma during surgery can be enumerated as potential risk factors for DH post-LT. These chil [...]

by Michael Mazzei  , Suresh Keshavamurthy  , Olga Timofeeva  and Yoshiya Toyoda

Received: 11 September 2020;  Published: 04 January 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2101130

Preoperative sensitization of the cardiac transplant recipient, defined as the presence of anti-Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) antibodies before transplant, represents a significant management challenge for physicians. Sensitization prolongs the pre-transplant wait time and is associated with postoperative transplant complications and death. It is critical that sensitized heart transplant candidates be identified and optimized before surgery. In this review, we describe the risk for sensitization, discuss the means [...]

by Shehab Mohamed  , Davide Tosi  , Sara Pieropan  , Andrea Cara  , Giovanni Caffarena  , Giorgio Alberto Croci  and Lorenzo Rosso

Received: 01 July 2020;  Published: 21 December 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2004129

Pulmonary transplantation (LuTx) is established as a treatment option for patients with end-stage lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, interstitial lung disease, and pulmonary arterial hypertension. Acute rejection and infection are implicated as potential risk factors in developing complications such as bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) and chronic rejection, leading to high morbidity and mortality rates after the LuTx. Thus, surveillance procedures after transplanta [...]

by Jun Gu  , Wei Wang  , Guilin Tang  , Gokce A. Toruner  , Ming Zhao  , Steven Sfamenos  , Zhenya Tang  , Joseph D. Khoury  and L. Jeffrey Medeiros

Received: 13 October 2020;  Published: 07 December 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2004128

Donor cell-derived leukaemia (DCL) is an uncommon complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). DCL might represent up to 5% of the post-HSCT disease relapses, but case numbers reported in the literature might underestimate the frequency. The leukemogenesis of DCL is not well understood due to the limited numbers of cases reported and lack of detailed molecular genetic information from recipients and donors. Although many theories have been proposed for leukemogenesis of DCL, the underl [...]

by Naoaki Sakata  , Gumpei Yoshimatsu  and Shohta Kodama

Received: 02 October 2020;  Published: 27 November 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2004127

Islet transplantation is a cellular replacement therapy for severe diabetes mellitus. Although the clinical outcome of islet transplant has been improving, the transplant efficacy of this treatment is not superior to that of pancreatic organ transplantation, a similar transplant therapy. Various factors have been characterized as ‘islet transplantation specific’, which includes lack of revascularization and ischemia, innate inflammation, or autoimmunity, affect the therapeutic outcome of this treatment. Among them, [...]

by Kamal Kant Sahu

Received: 01 November 2020;  Published: 19 November 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2004126

by Preeti Chhabra  and Kenneth L. Brayman

Received: 20 September 2020;  Published: 16 November 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2004125

Clinical islet allotransplantation represents a minimally invasive, efficacious alternative to pancreas transplantation for restoring glycemic control and insulin independence in select patients with type 1 diabetes that is complicated by intractable impaired hypoglycemia awareness and/or severe hypoglycemic events refractory to stabilization by other means. Over the last decade, islet transplantation outcomes have steadily improved in part due to refinements in the selection of optimal donors, islet isolation tech [...]

by Malcolm Voyce

Received: 22 July 2020;  Published: 16 November 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2004124

This article aims to describe the relationship between donors and their recipients in the context of organ transplants. This analysis is made in the light of Marcel Mauss’s work, offering an expansion on an analysis of his discussion on the “spirit of the gift” and his idea that gifts require reciprocation. It is argued that some recipients of donated organs receive a personal element from the donor in that there is a transfer or sharing of the donors’ personality and spiritual qualities. The article examines the n [...]

by Marina Moguilevitch  and Tracey Straker

Received: 05 July 2020;  Published: 12 November 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2004123

Clinical presentation and progression of Wilson’s disease can be diverse in different groups of patients. While young children most likely to present with acute or chronic liver failure, older children and adults may exhibit extrahepatic manifestation like neuropsychiatric, cardiac, renal, pancreatic and several others. Diagnosis of Wilson’s disease is based on the combination of specific clinical findings, laboratory and genetic testing. There are different modalities of treatment available for this condition. Liv [...]

by Jessica Ferguson  , Marisa Holubar  , Waldo Concepcion  and Dora Y. Ho

Received: 24 July 2020;  Published: 09 November 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2004122

Liver transplant recipients (LTRs) are at risk for vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) infections which can lead to significant morbidity or mortality. Antibiotic exposure, including vancomycin, is associated with greater risk of VRE infection. This study aimed to assess the appropriateness of vancomycin use and rates of VRE infection in this population. We performed a retrospective cohort study of 327 patients who underwent liver transplantation at our center from January 1, 2012 to June 30, 2017. Sixty (18.3% [...]

by Courtney Tate  , Jason P Butler  , Cameron Curley  , Siok-Keen Tey  , Glen A Kennedy  and Ashleigh P Scott

Received: 23 June 2020;  Published: 23 October 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2004121

Acquired Severe Aplastic Anaemia (SAA) is a rare bone marrow failure syndrome, for which allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) is a proven curative therapy. Despite excellent outcomes for matched sibling SAA recipients in terms of engraftment and survival, HSCT remains highly challenging in older matched-unrelated-donor (MUD) recipients, due to increased non-relapse mortality (NRM) from causes such as graft versus host disease (GVHD), organ failure and infection. We sought to evaluate our local HSCT [...]

by Shalika B. Katugaha  , Oksana Shlobin  , Chris King  , Steve Nathan  , Shambu Aryal  , Kareem Ahmad  and Whitney Brown

Received: 04 September 2020;  Published: 13 October 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2004120

Strongyloides stercoralis infection derived from the donor in solid organ transplant (SOT) places recipients at risk for hyperinfection syndrome and death. We describe the case of a lung transplant recipient who developed strongyloidiasis presenting with GI symptoms and progressing to diffuse alveolar hemorrhage, bacteremia and multi-organ failure. The patient's clinical course illustrates the life cycle of Strongyloides. For treatment, the patient received ivermectin and albendazole. We advocate that early diagnos [...]

by Pierpaolo Di Cocco  , Alberto Fratti  , Kerim B. Kaylan  , Ivo G. Tzvetanov  and Enrico Benedetti

Received: 22 August 2020;  Published: 28 September 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2003119

This article reviews the current treatment strategies of antibody-mediated rejection in kidney transplantation, which is increasingly recognized as the leading immunological cause of graft failure. The pathophysiologic complexity of this condition poses significant challenges for its treatment; however, progress toward advancing our understanding of its pathogenesis and diagnosis will allow for identification of new therapeutic targets. Emphasis is also given to prevention, which is mainly based on careful assessme [...]

by Bhagyashree Deshmankar  , Craig E. Eckfeldt  , Graf Oliver  , Aleksandr Lazaryan  and Nelli Bejanyan

Received: 19 July 2020;  Published: 18 September 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2003118

Severe hypercholesterolemia is an uncommon complication of allogenic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Treatment options for hypercholesterolemia due to liver graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) are limited because many antilipidemic medications are known to worsen hepatic functions. We report our experience on a case of a 38-year-old male with Philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia presenting with steroid-refractory hepatic and lower gastrointestinal acute GVHD after matched sibling don [...]

by Renly Dutton  , Frank Abdi  , Levon Minnetyan  and James L. Sherley

Received: 22 April 2020;  Published: 28 August 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2003117

Although tissue stem cells are essential for the maintenance, renewal, and repair of vertebrate organs and tissues, previously, the simple act of counting them has not been possible. For more than a half-century, progress in tissue stem cell research and medicine has been undermined by the lack of a means to determine tissue stem cell number. In particular, a major unmet need for stem cell transplantation medicine has been a way to quantify the specific dosage of tissue stem cell treatments. The counting problem pe [...]

by Marina Moguilevitch  , Michael Rufino  , Shalom Frager  and Tracey Straker

Received: 28 May 2020;  Published: 17 August 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2003116

Liver transplant is a life-saving therapy for patients with end stage liver disease and liver cancer. Liver re-transplantation cases are usually more challenging and riskier than primary surgery, they require careful consideration and larger recourse utilization. Decision making on who receives transplantation surgery includes individual patient risks and benefits, physician judgment, specific transplant center policies, surgical experience, geographic organ availability, and ethical considerations. Several mathema [...]

by Khawla F. Ali  and Betul Hatipoglu

Received: 07 June 2020;  Published: 07 July 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2003115

Pancreatic islet transplantation is a rapidly evolving field. It has been increasingly regarded as a promising approach for the correction of dysglycemia associated with type 1 diabetes mellitus (allogenic islet transplantation), or the prevention of surgical diabetes in chronic pancreatitis subjects undergoing total pancreatectomy (autologous islet transplantation). In this review, we discuss the latest literature pertaining to metabolic outcomes of autologous and allogenic islet transplantation, shedding close li [...]

by Dominic Emerson  , Jon Kobashigawa  , Ryan Levine  , Jamie Moriguchi  , Dominick Megna  , Joshua Chung  , Dany Ramzy  , Alfredo Trento  and Fardad Esmailian

Received: 14 April 2020;  Published: 06 July 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2003114

In advanced heart failure, orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) remains the standard for definitive treatment. Patients with heart failure and concomitant pulmonary hypertension (PH) represent a challenging subgroup, with poor outcomes following OHT. Recently, Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS) devices have been utilized as a bridge to OHT for these patients. Patients with MCS devices who underwent OHT were evaluated at a single center. Patients were stratified into three groups, depending on baseline pulmonary [...]

by Brian C. Keller  , Sadia Z. Shah  and Amy Pope-Harman

Received: 24 April 2020;  Published: 15 June 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2002113

Systemic capillary leak syndrome is a disorder characterized by recurrent, life-threatening episodes of acute capillary hyperpermeability resulting in edema and hypovolemic shock. We report a case of systemic capillary leak syndrome in a lung transplant recipient who developed recurrent episodes of volume overload, respiratory failure, and acute kidney injury in association with hypotension and hypoalbuminemia. Initiation of monthly high dose intravenous immunoglobulin prophylaxis effectively abrogated the syndrome [...]

by Robert B. Diller  , Robert G. Audet  , Mediha Gurel  , Eric E. Lee  , Aaron J. Tabor  , Peter McFetridge  and Robert S. Kellar

Received: 25 September 2019;  Published: 09 June 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2002112

Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cells (MSCs) were originally discovered in the 1970s. MSCs are considered a multipotent population that retain tri-lineage differentiation. These cells can be sourced from a variety of tissues, including bone marrow, adipose, molar pulp, and birth tissues. Historically varying definitions of MSCs have existed, but in 2006, the International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT) set forth a standardized, minimal criteria for MSCs, including plastic adherence, differentiation into osteoblasts, [...]

by Yasuhiko Sugawara

Received: 15 May 2020;  Published: 18 May 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2002111