by Assaf Assis  , Lena Sapozhnikov  , Sandra Camargo  and Eduardo Mitrani

Received: 07 May 2019;  Published: 14 August 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.1903078

Background: Cell encapsulation technology is most likely the ultimate solution for cell therapy based clinical approaches. A key issue when developing a functional encapsulated construct is to consider not only the nature of the capsule but also how the cells should be incorporated into the capsule in order to minimally compromise their function. Methods: We have developed a tissue engineering approach, composed of decellularized micro scaffolds and various types of cells in which fully functional "Engineered Micro [...]

by Ibrahim El-Serafi  , Sandra Oerther  , Ying Zhao  and Moustapha Hassan

Received: 08 July 2022;  Published: 27 July 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2203163

Cytochrome P450 2J2 (CYP2J2) is one of the recently discovered enzymes that is involved in the metabolism of several drugs. It is mainly an extrahepatic enzyme which can, to some extent, explain some the drugs’ side effects such as cyclophosphamide (Cy). Cyclophosphamide is an alkylating agent that is commonly used in conditioning prior to stem cell transplantation. It is a prodrug that is bio-activated by several CYPs including CYP2J2. Cy is known to have several side effects and its extrahepatic activation by CYP [...]

by Maria Irene Bellini  , Joseph Ayathamattam  and Paul Elliot Herbert

Received: 19 October 2018;  Published: 19 November 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.1804026

Obesity is on the rise and the number of end stage renal disease patients who are obese parallel this trend. There is no universally accepted guideline for wait-listing end stage renal disease obese patients in order to reduce surgical complications and improve survival of the kidney graft. Criteria for acceptance are variable among transplant centres, as do post-transplant policies. Careful risk assessment to maximise the benefits of the limited organ donor resource must be undertaken prior to waitlist an obese ki [...]

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 Livia Maria Surdi  , Maribel Dagher  , Tamara Merhej  , John Choi  and Jamil R. Azzi

Received: 17 April 2025;  Published: 10 September 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2503258

Antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) remains a major barrier to long-term graft survival in kidney transplantation. Defined by the presence of donor-specific antibodies (DSAs) and characteristic histological changes, such as C4d deposition in peritubular capillaries, ABMR can present acutely, chronically, or subclinically, often manifesting as graft dysfunction. Recent advances in genomic profiling and diagnostic assays have improved our understanding of its pathophysiology, yet therapeutic strategies remain limited. [...]

by Steven R. Potter

Received: 10 February 2020;  Published: 13 February 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2001100

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 Masahiro Sato  , Emi Inada  , Shingo Nakamura  and Issei Saitoh

Received: 28 March 2018;  Published: 02 August 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.1803016

Background: Transplantation of isolated islets is one of the most powerful approaches to cure insulin-dependent (type I) diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Currently, the most widely used transplantation strategy is percutaneous perfusion into the liver via the portal vein. However, this approach has several drawbacks and is often limited by the large number of islets required and hypoxic damage to the grafts. Methods: In this article, we posit intrapancreatic parenchymal cell transplantation (IPPCT) as a promisin [...]

by Ibrahim Nahit Sendur  , Büsra Köksoy  and Yasemin H. Balaban

Received: 11 November 2024;  Published: 01 April 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2502244

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. Despite advancements in prophylaxis and antiviral therapy, CMV continues to pose clinical challenges in transplant medicine. This review provides a comprehensive overview of CMV, exploring its pathophysiology, epidemiology, and clinical presentation in SOT patients, in whom CMV infection can lead to direct organ involvement and systemic symptoms. Additionally, CMV has indirect effects, including [...]

by Garzain Bint e Attar  and Mohd. Ashif Khan

Received: 15 May 2025;  Published: 31 December 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2504262

Bone grafting remains a cornerstone technique in orthopedic and reconstructive surgery, yet achieving successful graft integration continues to pose significant challenges, particularly in conditions such as osteoporosis, diabetes mellitus, and large bone defects. Traditional graft materials such as autografts, allografts, xenografts, and synthetics, often encounter limitations including immune rejection, poor vascularization, and insufficient osteogenic support. Emerging pharmacological strategies have shown promi [...]

by David J. Ross  , Abbas Ardehali  , Christine Natori  and John A. Belperio

Received: 19 September 2019;  Published: 07 November 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.1904090

Introduction: TH-17 and IL-6 interactions and detrimental biologic effects have been shown in rodent models of Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction (CLAD). Similarly, these pathways have been found to be upregulated in human CLAD. Tocilizumab (TCZ), a humanized monoclonal antibody targets the IL-6 receptor subunit alpha and prevents binding of IL-6. We herein report our preliminary experience with adjunctive TCZ therapy for human CLAD. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our initial experience with TCZ given after o [...]

by Amanda B. Cooper  , Stephen M. Downs  , Nicholas J Skill  , Richard S. Mangus  , Chandrashekhar A. Kubal  and Mary A. Maluccio

Received: 18 March 2019;  Published: 13 May 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.1902063

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a lethal tumor, for which liver resection and transplantation are the only potentially curative treatments. No prospective, randomized study has compared survival in patients with compensated cirrhosis after the two operations Methods: Decision analysis modeling is an objective method to quantify risks and benefits. This study aimed to use decision analysis with a Markov model to estimate the impact of liver transplant and surgical resection on survival for patients wit [...]

by Victoria Lorenzetti  , Elena Bargagli  , Antonella Fossi  , David Bennett  , Paolo Cameli  and Paola Rottoli

Received: 30 August 2018;  Published: 18 December 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.1804033

Background: Alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency is the most common hereditary disorder in adults and is associated with an increased risk of developing lung emphysema. Methods:Here, we report the case of a 54-year-old man, who underwent bilateral lung transplantation due to AAT deficiency emphysema in the general hospital of Siena, Italy. Results:The patient was diagnosed with partial AAT deficiency (189 mg/dL) associated with the PIMZ genotype; although he quit smoking, his lung disease progressed to chronic resp [...]

by Aniruddha Bhattacharyya  , Lee R. Friedman  , Beje S. Thomas  and Coleman I. Smith

Received: 29 August 2021;  Published: 18 October 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2104154

End Stage Renal Disease is becoming more prevalent in the United States of America, with demand for kidney transplant exceeding the available organ supply. A novel method to increase the donor pool has been to consider transplanting organs from deceased patients who have had Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) or Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infections. Transplants with HCV infected kidneys are becoming more prevalent, due to increased organ supply due to increased mortality from injection opioid use. Similarly, deceased [...]

by Sheri Tran  and Mark M Fuster

Received: 16 July 2017;  Published: 12 September 2017;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.1703004

The risk for developing a variety of malignancies is significantly elevated in the setting of lung transplantation. Malignancy remains among the three major causes of death in post-transplant recipients, and the relatively high risk of cancer development as well as metastatic aggression pose special threats to this population due to the need for continued immunosuppression. A variety of risks such as tobacco use and inflammatory lung diseases that led to the lung pathology prompting lung transplantation, in additio [...]

by Suresh Keshavamurthy  and Cody Russell

Received: 11 January 2023;  Published: 04 April 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2302179

A boundless spectrum of chronic lung diseases is said to effect over 500 million persons globally. Lung transplantation is a well-established therapeutic option for patients suffering from end-stage lung diseases, however waitlist mortality and primary graft failure remain major determinants as post-transplantation 5-year survival is just above 50 percent. Recent innovations in lung transplantation have been aimed at increasing organ availability, improving allograft quality, function, and longevity. Ex-vivo Lung P [...]

by R. Paul Robertson

Received: 13 February 2023;  Published: 17 May 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2302184

Pancreatic islet transplantation (ITx) has moved from the experimental phase of development to a position of an accepted and appropriate procedure to apply in clinical medicine. The primary indication for use of ITx is for management of dangerous and recurrent hypoglycemia secondary to use of exogenous insulin for management of hyperglycemia in people with type 1 diabetes. ITx involves procurement of a pancreas donated by a person who has died. The organ is taken to a specialized laboratory for isolation of islets [...]

by Antoine Buemi  , Jérôme Duisit  , Flora Musuamba  , Tom Darius  , Martine De Meyer  , Selda Aydin  , Nada Kanaan  , Arnaud Devresse  , Eric Goffin  and Michel Mourad

Received: 13 January 2020;  Published: 13 May 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2002109

This study aimed to investigate the outcomes of transplantation from donors aged less than three years in a single-center consecutive series. A total of 52 en bloc kidney graft transplantations were performed. In 22 cases, organs were procured from donors aged less than one year (group 1). In 30 cases, the age of donors varied from one to three years (group 2). After transplantation, renal function and graft and patient survival were evaluated retrospectively. No significant difference was observed between the grou [...]

by Elham Amjad  and Babak Sokouti

Received: 21 February 2025;  Published: 09 June 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2502251

Graft rejection, early allograft dysfunction (EAD), and poor diagnostic accuracy are some of the challenges that still need to be addressed, even though liver transplantation (LT) has the potential to help patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD) significantly. Traditional procedures, such as liver biopsies and liver function tests (LFTs), often fail to identify abnormalities early and with accuracy. Genomic RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) has recently emerged as a powerful approach for identifying molecular markers o [...]

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 Sofia Oliveira Correia  , Catarina Eusébio  , Ana Sofia Cipriano  , Virginia Lopes  , José Ramón Vizcaíno  , António Cabrita  , Manuela Almeida  , Sofia Pedroso  , Leonidio Dias  , La Salete Martins  and António Castro Henriques

Received: 18 October 2018;  Published: 07 March 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.1901057

Mucormycosis is an angioinvasive and potentially fatal fungal infection caused by ubiquitous filamentous fungi. Cutaneous mucormycosis is an emerging infection and potentially lethal. Our aim was to review the literature on cutaneous mucormycosis. We present a case of a renal transplant patient with a surgical wound infection 20 days after kidney transplant. This case is an example on how early diagnosis is crucial and, since culture is less sensitive, microscopic evaluation of the characteristic broad hyphae is th [...]

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 Nicholas J. Geraghty  , Amal Elhage  , Peter Cuthbertson  , Debbie Watson  and Ronald Sluyter

Received: 06 June 2022;  Published: 06 September 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2203166

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a curative therapy for hematological malignancies, but its efficacy is limited by graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). This life-threatening disorder develops when donor (graft) immune cells cause inflammatory damage to recipient (host) tissues. The immune cell receptor channel P2X7 and its ligand adenosine 5’-triphosphate (ATP) have been implicated in GVHD pathogenesis. Therefore, this signaling axis represents a potential therapeutic target. This study aime [...]

by Jade M Kozuch  , Kamyar Afshar  and Ashley Feist

Received: 15 November 2024;  Published: 20 February 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2501235

Lung transplant recipients represent a high-risk group for cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and disease, even among solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients, due to multiple factors. Additionally, CMV has significant consequences in this group including pneumonitis, acute rejection, and chronic lung allograft dysfunction. For the past two plus decades, treatment of CMV in SOT recipients has been limited to off-label use of 4 antiviral medications associated with significant toxicities including myelosuppression and n [...]

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 Sigal Shaklai  , Meital Grafi-Cohen  , Orli Sharon  , Gabi Shefer  , Dalia Somjen  and Naftali Stern

Received: 17 April 2019;  Published: 27 August 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.1903082

Background: Estradiol 17-beta (E2) enhances the function and survival of pancreatic beta-cells, but its clinical use has been questioned due to concerns regarding oncogenic potential and feminizing effects in males. The G-protein coupled estrogen receptor (GPER), expressed in pancreatic islets, exhibits estrogenic beta-cell protective effects without the feminizing effects of the nuclear ERs. Here, we examine the outcome of selective activation of the three estrogen receptors ERα, ERβ, and GPER on rep [...]

by Qiqi Yu  , Kran Suknuntha  , Weixiong Zhong  , Daniel R. Matson  , Aaron S. Hess  and William N. Rose

Received: 13 February 2022;  Published: 02 June 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2202160

We report a case of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) diagnosed in the kidney allograft of a 59-year-old woman who had developed plasmacytoma type monomorphic posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) 30 years after a simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplant. This report demonstrates a rare etiology of TMA in a kidney allograft occurring in association with PTLD-associated monoclonal gammopathy. The main teaching points are: 1) PTLD may be considered in the work-up of a new TMA in the immunosuppressed po [...]

by Ana Paula Leopercio  , Christini Emori  , Elisabete Calore Neiva  , Ana Lucia Silva Souza  , Ana Cristina Amaral  , Gustavo Almeida Vieira  , Raimundo Araujo Gama  , Jose Osmar Medina-Pestana  and Maria Lúcia Ferraz

Received: 22 June 2022;  Published: 26 October 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2204168

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is frequent among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). HBV reactivation after kidney transplant (KT) is more common in patients with HBsAg+; however, it can also occur in previously infected individuals, particularly those with HBsAg negative and total antiHBc positive (HBsAg-/antiHBcT+). However, reactivation in this population has scarce and conflicting data. This study aimed to assess the reactivation risk in KT recipients with previous HBV infection (antiHBcT+). A retros [...]

by Naoaki Sakata  , Gumpei Yoshimatsu  and Shohta Kodama

Received: 15 January 2019;  Published: 03 April 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.1902059

Total pancreatectomy (TP) is performed for not only malignant pancreatic diseases but also benign disease such as chronic pancreatitis or pancreatic injury. However, because this surgery involves removal of the whole pancreas, both exocrine and endocrine pancreatic functions are abolished, significantly impairing the nutritional statuses of patients as well as having other detrimental outcomes. Thus, especially in benign cases additional treatment to recover endocrine function is recommended, as permanent endocrine [...]

by Ajay Kumar  and Juveriya Israr

Received: 03 August 2024;  Published: 12 March 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2501241

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) improves the treatment of hematopoietic cancer and non-malignant disease. In this case, stem cells from a genetically similar but not identical donor may stimulate immune-mediated tumor cell destruction. Allogeneic stem cell transplantation, or allo-SCT, has significantly extended the life expectancy of numerous people. Nevertheless, complications such as infections, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and recurrence continue. This paper provides a thorough analysis of [...]

by Ashrit Multani  , Libby S. Allard  and Joanna K. Nelson

Received: 03 June 2019;  Published: 29 July 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.1903076

Hematopoietic cell transplantation is frequently complicated by infectious disease-related complications, especially pneumonia. Candida and enterococci are often overlooked as pulmonary pathogens with some clinicians firmly believing that these organisms never cause pneumonia. Here, we present a series of five cases of Candida pneumonia and five cases of enterococcal pneumonia found on autopsy in hematopoietic cell transplantation recipients. We will also review the literature regarding the epidemiology, risk facto [...]

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 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 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 [...]

by Rene J. Duquesnoy

Received: 11 July 2018;  Published: 05 September 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.1803018

The Holy Grail to Clinical Transplant Tolerance is Paved with HLA Epitopes

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 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 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 Esra Pehlivan

Received: 11 December 2024;  Published: 03 March 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2501239

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder that significantly impacts respiratory function, leading to progressive lung damage and ultimately respiratory failure. Lung transplantation (LTx) is a critical intervention for CF patients with end-stage lung disease, offering improved survival and quality of life. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) plays a pivotal role both preoperatively and postoperatively in optimizing outcomes for LTx candidates and recipients. Pre-transplant PR interventions, including exercise programs, [...]

by Wasim A. Dar

Received: 03 September 2018;  Published: 29 September 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.1803021

liver transplantation

by Rhythm Joshi  , Zehva Khan  , Aakriti Garg  , Nidhi  , Ubada Aqeel  , Dinesh Bhurani  and Mohd.Ashif Khan

Received: 30 September 2022;  Published: 25 April 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2302183

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) or Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT) has significantly improved the survival rates of patients suffering from hematological malignancies. However, the cure can only be achieved at the price of morbidity and long-term complications such as bone diseases leading to fractures and osteopenia. Several studies have reported the impact of organ transplants on bone metabolism, electrolytes and blood profile. This prospective observational clinical study aims at elucidating the [...]

by Kristen R Szempruch  , Alec D Martschenko  , Harendra Arora  , Robert S Isaak  , Ravindra Prasad  , John L Schmitz  , Chuning Liu  , Fei Zou  and Pablo Serrano Rodriguez

Received: 13 February 2023;  Published: 18 April 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2302181

Fluid management intra- and post-operatively for kidney transplant recipients (KTR) is essential to maintain adequate perfusion to the kidney. 0.9% normal saline (NS) is commonly used, but it can cause hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis, which may result in hyperkalemia and lead to delayed graft function (DGF). Plasma-Lyte A (PA) is an alternative option that has a lower amount of chloride and a neutral pH, which may offset the risk of hyperkalemia. The aim of this study is to determine the incidence of DGF in KTRs [...]

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 Sanjay Dutta  , Jeanette E. Villanueva  , Yashutosh Joshi  , Ling Gao  , Paul Jansz  and Peter S. Macdonald

Received: 02 April 2024;  Published: 05 August 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2403222

Heart transplantation remains the gold standard treatment for end-stage heart failure. With an increasing population and improving medical therapy there is an increasing number of patients who would benefit from heart transplantation but are unable to receive one due to a shortage of suitable donor organs. This ongoing need, and significant limitations with traditional cold static storage (CSS), have driven the development of machine perfusion technology that have expanded the donor pool. Machine perfusion is divid [...]

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 Michael J Eiswerth  and Joel Wedd

Received: 30 November 2024;  Published: 17 April 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2502247

The prevalence of alcohol use disorder (AUD) and alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) has increased in the last two decades. ALD is currently the most common indication for both waitlist additions and liver transplant (LT) in the United States, including alcohol-associated cirrhosis, alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH), and acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). ALD also has a significant global disease burden. LT in ALD is a complex paradigm that poses both medical and ethical challenges, requiring a multidisciplinar [...]

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 Kurumi Taniguchi  , Haruka Sawamura  , Yuka Ikeda  , Ai Tsuji  and Satoru Matsuda

Received: 02 May 2022;  Published: 30 August 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2203165

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a standard form of cellular therapy for patients suffering from malignant hematological diseases. However, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a very serious complication and a major cause of morbidity and mortality after allogeneic HSCT. Calcineurin inhibitors, such as cyclosporine, are widely used to enhance the survival of patients who have undergone HSCT. Unfortunately, both GVHD and cyclosporine occasionally cause nephropathy. Several studies have shown that th [...]

by Koji Kawago  , John A Farag  , Yujiro Kawai  , Umayr Syed  , Eric Pfrender  , Satoshi Miyairi  and Yasuhiro Shudo

Received: 21 October 2024;  Published: 14 March 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2501242

Heterotopic heart transplantation (HHT) in rats is a valuable tool for cardiac transplantation research. While abdominal HHT has been established in rats for nearly 90 years, novel approaches involving cervical and femoral techniques have also been explored. The abdominal HHT model, despite its long history, is technically demanding and has a steep learning curve. In contrast, the cervical HHT model enables surgeons with more basic microsurgical skills to achieve competency more quickly while producing comparable o [...]

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 Alma Rechnitzer  , Richard Teo  , Abigail Brooks  , Juan P. Rocca  , Nidal A. Mudhi  , Julia Torabi  , Maria Ajaimy  , Luz Liriano-Ward  , Yorg Azzi  , Cindy Pynadath  , Pablo Loarte-Campos  , Enver Akalin  , Marie E. Le  , Milan M. Kinkhabwala  and Jay A. Graham

Received: 06 September 2022;  Published: 21 November 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2204170

The 2014 Pancreas Allocation System established national qualifying criteria for simultaneous kidney pancreas (SPK) transplantation. The 2019 UNOS Pancreas Transplantation Committee Policy 11.3.B modified these guidelines to expand transplantation. Subsequent effects on recipient demographics have not been studied. We analyzed 81 SPK transplantations performed at our center from June 2014 to December 2020 to compare recipient demographics and outcomes before and after the 11.3.B policy change. National data were al [...]

by Rolf Teschke  and Axel Eickhoff

Received: 08 January 2025;  Published: 14 February 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2501234

Liver transplantation (LT) can be the only option for patients with acute liver failure (ALF) where medical approaches are ineffective. Causes of ALF are multiple and commonly easily detectable, but uncertainty remained on the role of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) within the published ALF cohorts. Therefore, an analysis was undertaken to clarify which drugs may have caused the DILI and how the diagnosis of the liver injury was established. Using the PubMed database and Google Science, the search term of acute li [...]

by Rouvick M Gama  , Mysore Phanish  , Abbas Ghazanfar  and Debasish Banerjee

Received: 09 January 2023;  Published: 23 May 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2302185

Despite preventative measures, including vaccination, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection may result in severe illness, particularly in immunosuppressed transplant recipients. This has had a negative impact on organ donation and transplantation rates. However, the risk of transmission from SARS-CoV-2 positive donors to kidney transplant recipients is unknown. We describe 2 cases of successful kidney transplantation from SARS-CoV-2 positive donors. Case 1: 38-year old unvaccinated fe [...]

by Michelle N. Bremer  , Garrick J. Gama  , Omkar Rao  , Eugene Golts  , Deepa Kurup  , Aarya Kafi  , Christine M. Lin  , Gordon Yung  and Kamyar Afshar

Received: 28 November 2022;  Published: 10 April 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2302180

Race, while a social construct, has a strong effect on a person’s health. There is limited data on racial disparities within lung transplantation (LTx), especially for Hispanic recipients. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify inequalities that may involve this population. We analyzed historical data from the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) and performed a retrospective review of Hispanic and Caucasian patients who underwent lung transplantation in the United States between May [...]

by Ginevra G Adamo  , Sergio D'Angelo  , Angeli Christy Yu  , Marco Pellegrini  , Federico Bernabei  , Vincenzo Scorcia  and Giuseppe Giannaccare

Received: 17 June 2022;  Published: 02 August 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2203164

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a serious complication that may occur in patients receiving allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). GVHD occurs because of the immunological reaction between the donor’s T cells and the recipient’s antigens; GVHD may develop in different tissues, including the eye. Corneal perforation is an uncommon but vision-threatening manifestation of GVHD. We reported the case of a 65-year-old male patient who developed corneal perforation sequentially in both eyes 3 years afte [...]

by Ashwini Arjuna  , Deepika Razia  , Devika Sindu  , Michael T. Olson  , Lara Schaheen  , Ross M. Bremner  , Rajat Walia  and Kendra McAnally

Received: 25 October 2022;  Published: 06 January 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2301173

Few reports have described successful lung transplantation from a donor with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and outcomes beyond 3 to 6 months remain unknown. After weighing the urgency and life-saving benefits of lung transplantation against the risk of viral transmission, we successfully performed a bilateral lung transplant from a donor with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection with mild symptoms 2 months before donation. At 1 year after transplant, there is no evidence of donor-derived viral transmission, and allo [...]

by Andrés R. Latorre-Rodríguez  , Devika Sindu  , Sumeet K. Mittal  and Ashwini Arjuna

Received: 23 February 2024;  Published: 21 June 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2402219

Activated pepsin (pepA) in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid may be a biomarker of gastric aspiration. We sought to i) evaluate the association of pepA in BAL fluid with acute cellular rejection (ACR) in a cohort of lung transplant recipients (LTRs), ii) assess the association between pepA and isolation of typical gastrointestinal microorganisms from BAL fluid, and iii) explore the accuracy of using pepA concentration as a biomarker of ACR. After IRB approval, we conducted a retrospective observational study analy [...]

by Mouna Daldoul  , Rim Charfi  , Khouloud Ferchichi  , Mouna Ben Sassi  , Syrine Ben Hammamia  , Fatma Medhioub  , Emna Gaies  , Rym Enneifer  , Hanene Eljebari  , Anis Klouz  , Riadh Daghfous  and Sameh Trabelsi

Received: 20 August 2024;  Published: 13 December 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2404228

A high intra and interindividual pharmacokinetics variability characterize Tacrolimus. Data regarding factors influencing its pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in liver transplantation are limited. This study aimed to assess tacrolimus therapeutic response, pharmacokinetics and adherence in liver transplant recipients. The study was conducted at the Clinical Pharmacology Department for 12 years, from January 2009 to March 2021. We included liver transplant patients treated with tacrolimus referred to our depart [...]

by Ramin Raoufinia  , Saleh Hashemi  , Kimia Arabi  , Karim Naghipoor  , Farhad Fakoor  and Ehsan Saburi

Received: 20 October 2024;  Published: 02 April 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2502245

In orthopedics and oncology, benign and malignant bone lesions pose significant clinical challenges. Malignant tumors, like osteosarcomas and multiple myeloma, pose substantial health dangers and can spread common and mostly non-life-threatening benign lesions, including non-sizing fibromas and unicameral bone cysts. Treatment plans for bone lesions may involve radiation, chemotherapy, and surgical excision, depending on their type. Combining stem cell research, bioactive materials, and advanced scaffold design, cu [...]

by Tatsuya Kin  , Doug O'Gorman  , Wendy Zhai  , Jennifer Moriarty  , Kyle Park  , Advaita Ganguly  , Shawn Rosichuk  and AM James Shapiro

Received: 23 February 2024;  Published: 23 April 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2402212

There has been a steady expansion in islet isolation and transplantation activity worldwide. In addition to preparing human islets for transplantation, we have been providing human islets to basic researchers. The aim of this study was to review the activity of distribution of human islets to basic researchers in North America, Europe, and Asia, and to investigate if there are any differences in utilization rate of islets among three continents. We reviewed our islet isolation batch files, donor records, and docume [...]

by Pål Dag Line

Received: 07 April 2017;  Published: 11 April 2017;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.1701001

by Braulio A. Marfil-Garza  and Tatsuya Kin

Received: 11 December 2022;  Published: 19 December 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2204171

by Kamyar Afshar  , Michelle N Bremer  , Deepa Kurup  , Michael Bernales  , Elizabeth Schonhoft  , Luis Santana  , Caro Davila  , Gina Schooler  , Gordon Yung  , Travis Pollema  and Eugene Golts

Received: 07 November 2022;  Published: 14 March 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2301177

Lung transplant (LTx) survival and quality of life have been steadily improving, partially from changes in candidate selection for transplantation. There are well-known high-risk factors that lead to poor LTx outcomes, which may be referred to as ‘accounted’ risks. However, there are also other ‘unaccounted’ risks that are not included in the existing model for expected LTx survival to help programs for resource allocation. We performed a retrospective cohort study of all LTx recipients over the age of 18 at UC San [...]

by Deepika Razia  , Ashraf Omar  , Katherine Grief  , Rajat Walia  and Sofya Tokman

Received: 20 November 2022;  Published: 01 March 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2301176

Careful selection of lung transplant (LT) recipients with cystic fibrosis (CF) may improve outcomes; therefore, we studied the impact of sex and age at the time of LT on long-term survival of patients with CF. LT recipients with CF who received post-LT care at our center between July 1, 2007 and April 30, 2021 were included. The primary outcome was death or retransplantation. Cox proportional hazard analysis and the Kaplan-Meier method were used. Of 59 included LT recipients, the median age at first LT was 28 (22, [...]

by OBM Transplantation Editorial Office

Received: 06 January 2022;  Published: 07 January 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2201157

The editors of OBM Transplantation would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2021. 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 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 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 Katarina Tomulic Brusich

Received: 30 August 2022;  Published: 15 November 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2204169

Transplantation is a widely accepted and successful life-saving treatment for hundreds of thousands of patients. However, transplant medicine still faces a number of obstacles. One of the most significant is the large disparity between the number of donors and recipients and the growing need for re-transplantation. In the last two decades, the improvement and organization of the national transplantation program in Croatia have resulted in a steadily increasing donor rate and therefore the transplantation numbers. A [...]

by Sabrine Mekni  , Lamia Torjemane  , Malek Khayati  , Dorra Belloumi  , Rimmel Yosra Kanoun  , Insaf Ben Yaiche  , Rihab Ouerghi  , Ines Turki  , Saloua Ladeb  , Tarek Ben Othman  and Nour Ben Abdeljelil

Received: 29 June 2024;  Published: 11 November 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2404226

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Allo-HSCT) remains the only curative treatment for bone marrow failure (BMF) and hematologic complications of Fanconi anemia (FA). The evolution remains affected by the toxicity, the risk of graft failure, and clonal evolution. This study aimed to identify factors affecting outcomes in FA patients after allo-HSCT. We included FA patients who underwent allo-HSCT between January 2006 and December 2021. The conditioning regimen was cyclophosphamide/fludarabine (Cy/Fl [...]

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 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 Camilo A. Velasquez  , Simon Yaguare  , Sabrina Gambini  , Elizabeth McElhiney  and Suresh Keshavamurthy

Received: 19 September 2024;  Published: 27 April 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2502248

Lung transplantation (LTx) is the gold standard for the surgical treatment of end-stage lung disease. Ongoing discussions persist whether single lung transplantation (SLT) or bilateral lung transplantation (BLT) lead to better patient outcomes and quality of life. This study analyzed 58 peer-reviewed articles from 1990 to 2024, comparing SLT and BLT across several parameters, including indications for transplantation, overall survival, pulmonary hypertension, complications, chronic rejection, functional status, and [...]

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 OBM Transplantation Editorial Office

Received: 01 July 2022;  Published: 03 July 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2203161

by Leona A. Holmberg  , Michael Linenberger  and Laura Connelly-Smith

Received: 06 May 2022;  Published: 30 March 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2301178

RICE is salvage therapy for treating CD20+non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). It is combined with G-CSF to collect autologous peripheral blood stem cells (aPBSC). Little data exists, though, on the combination of G-CSF and Plerixafor after RICE in mobilizing adequate number of CD34 cells and the product’s immune content. We report on the results of twenty CD20+ NHL patients after RICE, G-CSF and Plerixafor were given to collect aPBSC. The median number of cells collected was 12.92 × 106 CD34 cells/kg (range 5.4 [...]