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Transpl Int 2020 Jul 3. Epub 2020 Jul 3.

Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin, School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA.

Simultaneous pancreas and kidney (SPK) transplantation is considered the best treatment option for patients with diabetes and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). SPK recipients with a functioning pancreas graft have significantly better kidney graft survival and patient survival compared to those who received a kidney-only transplant or those with a failed pancreas graft. In addition, SPK recipients with isolated pancreas graft failure who undergo pancreas retransplant still have better kidney graft survival. Read More

Int J Surg 2020 Jun 30. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Department of General Surgery, Digestive Disease & Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.

A dilemma of graft selection between right or left livers occurs during the planning of living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) as well as splitting a whole liver graft into full right/full left grafts in deceased-donor liver transplantation. The right liver's relation to the whole liver could be considered as the trunk of a tree; it has a larger volume, the main axis of bile ducts, and the inferior vena cava mainly belongs to the right liver. Therefore, it was considered as the standard graft in LDLTs. Read More

Curr Opin Organ Transplant 2020 Jun 30. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford and Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, UK.

Purpose Of Review: To summarize recently published studies of preservation strategies including machine perfusion in pancreas transplantation.

Recent Findings: The shortage of conventional donors is leading units to use extended criteria donors (ECDs) and donors after cardiac death (DCD). Static cold storage (SCS) is still the standard method of preservation for pancreases and University of Wisconsin remains the gold standard preservation solution. Read More

Curr Opin Organ Transplant 2020 Jun 30. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Department of Surgery, Division of Hepatobiliary, Pancreas, and Abdominal Organ Transplant, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA.

Purpose Of Review: In the United States, the leading indication for kidney transplant is primary kidney dysfunction arising from chronic hypertension and diabetes. However, an increasing indication for kidney transplantation is secondary kidney dysfunction in the setting of another severe organ dysfunction, including pancreas, liver, heart, and lung disease. In these settings, multiorgan transplantation is now commonly performed. Read More

Endosc Int Open 2020 Jul 16;8(7):E869-E876. Epub 2020 Jun 16.

Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy Unit, The Pancreas Institute, G.B. Rossi University Hospital, Verona, Italy.

Little is known about outcomes of biliopancreatic endosonography (EUS) in patients with surgically altered upper gastrointestinal (gastrointestinal) anatomy. We aimed to assess the rate of procedural success and EUS-related adverse events (AEs), according to post-surgical anatomies. Retrospective study including patients with post-surgical altered upper gastrointestinal anatomy who underwent EUS for evaluation of the biliopancreatic region between January 2008 and June 2018 at eight European centers. Read More

Lancet Oncol 2020 Jul;21(7):867-869

Liver Unit, ICMDiM, Hospital Clínic Barcelona, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Madrid, Spain. Electronic address:

J Oncol Pharm Pract 2020 Jun 30:1078155220934853. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.

Introduction: Blinatumomab is a CD19/CD3 bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE) antibody that simultaneously binds CD19 on the surface of B-cells and CD3 on the surface of T-cells, resulting in tumor cell lysis. It is approved for the treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) and in patients with minimal residual disease after intensive induction chemotherapy. Relapse patterns after treatment with blinatumomab have not been well characterized. Read More

Pancreas 2020 Jun 23. Epub 2020 Jun 23.

Department of HPB Surgery and Liver Transplantation The Royal Free London NHS Trust Hampstead, London United Kingdom Department of HPB Surgery Academic Department of Surgery Royal Marsden Hospital Chelsea London United Kingdom

Transpl Infect Dis 2020 Jun 30:e13392. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.

Mycoplasma hominis can be isolated frequently from the genitourinary tract of some healthy individuals. On rare occasions, it acts as a pathogen in immunocompromised patients such as transplant recipients. Here we describe the case of a 39 year-old-man with end stage kidney disease secondary to diabetic nephropathy who received a simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplant. Read More

J Int Med Res 2020 Jun;48(6):300060520933452

Experimental, Educational and Research Centre, ELPEN, Pikermi, Athens, Greece.

Objectives: In transplantation surgery, the ischaemic organ and reperfusion impairment after cold storage remains a considerable risk factor for impaired function and potential failure of the grafted organ. Substantial logistical efforts have been undertaken to reduce the cold ischaemic time because the demand for available transplant organs and the periods of cold ischaemia are increasing.

Methods: Four molecules were investigated (erythropoietin, sildenafil, lazaroid [U74389G], octreotide) in individual intravenous infusions 1 hour before the organ was harvested. Read More

BMC Surg 2020 Jun 29;20(1):143. Epub 2020 Jun 29.

School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China.

Background: Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is an uncommon mesenchymal neoplasm, which infrequently metastasizes to pancreas and thigh. Clinical presentation and imaging findings of metastatic broad ligament LMS are often nonspecific. Complete excision plays an important role in treatment of patients with localized LMS. Read More

Chin J Physiol 2020 May-Jun;63(3):122-127

Cardiovascular and Mitochondrial Related Diseases Research Center, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation; Center of General Education, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology, Hualien; Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University; Department of Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan.

Pancreatic damage is the major causative agent in type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM). Several strategies have been suggested to regenerate pancreatic functions, such as stem cell transplantation and administration of active components isolating from natural herbals. This study aims to investigate if the synergistically protective effect on damaged pancreatic tissues can be observed in STZ-induced DM rats with autologous transplantation of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC) coupling with oral administration of resveratrol. Read More

J Med Genet 2020 Jun 26. Epub 2020 Jun 26.

Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.

Background: Most cases of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are asymptomatic in early stages, and the disease is typically diagnosed in advanced phases, resulting in very high mortality. Tools to identify individuals at high risk of developing PDAC would be useful to improve chances of early detection.

Objective: We generated a polygenic risk score (PRS) for PDAC risk prediction, combining the effect of known risk SNPs, and carried out an exploratory analysis of a multifactorial score. Read More

Transplant Proc 2020 Jun 24. Epub 2020 Jun 24.

Department of Transplantation Medicine, Nephrology and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland.

A 42-year-old woman received a simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation (SPK). Immunosuppression consisted of tacrolimus modified release, prednisone, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), and thymoglobulin as induction. The function of both grafts was good. Read More

Transpl Int 2020 Jun 26. Epub 2020 Jun 26.

Shiraz Transplant Center, Abu Ali Sina Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.

With the wide spread of the COVID-19 in the world, all activities related to health care have been affected and this includes transplantation surgeries (1). Considering the high transmission rate of the virus and limitations in resources such as intensive care unit (ICU) beds and blood products, in many countries living donor transplantations and pancreas transplantation have been delayed to after the diseases has subsided. Read More

Surg Case Rep 2020 Jun 26;6(1):148. Epub 2020 Jun 26.

Division of Gastroenterological, Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic, Transplantation and Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, Nagano, 390-8621, Japan.

Background: Splenic vein stenosis and occlusion, which are known causes of left-sided portal hypertension, often occur secondary to trauma, pancreatitis, or invasion or compression by pancreatic tumors. However, few reports have described idiopathic splenic vein stenosis.

Case Presentation: A 70-year-old man was referred to our hospital for examination of isolated gastric varices. Read More

World J Gastroenterol 2020 Jun;26(22):2948-2966

National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology named after Academician V. I. Kulakov of Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, Moscow 117997, Russia.

The pancreas became one of the first objects of regenerative medicine, since other possibilities of dealing with the pancreatic endocrine insufficiency were clearly exhausted. The number of people living with diabetes mellitus is currently approaching half a billion, hence the crucial relevance of new methods to stimulate regeneration of the insulin-secreting β-cells of the islets of Langerhans. Natural restrictions on the islet regeneration are very tight; nevertheless, the islets are capable of physiological regeneration β-cell self-replication, direct differentiation of multipotent progenitor cells and spontaneous α- to β- or δ- to β-cell conversion (trans-differentiation). Read More

J Gastrointest Surg 2020 Jun 24. Epub 2020 Jun 24.

Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery and Liver transplantation, Pôle des Pathologies Digestives, Hépatiques et de la Transplantation, Hôpital de Hautepierre-Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Université de Strasbourg, 1, Avenue Moliere, 67098, Strasbourg, France.

Transpl Int 2020 Jun 23. Epub 2020 Jun 23.

Renal Unit, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia.

For patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus who progress to the point of requiring renal replacement therapy, the relative benefits of simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation (SPK) and deceased donor kidney transplantation across different age categories compared to dialysis are uncertain. Using Australian and New Zealand registry data from 2006-2016, a probabilistic Markov model (n = 10,000) was built comparing patient survival between SPK and deceased donor kidney transplantation with dialysis. Compared to dialysis, the average life years saved (LYS) and quality-adjusted life years (QALY) for SPK and deceased donor kidney transplantation were 5. Read More

Transplant Rev (Orlando) 2020 Jun 13:100562. Epub 2020 Jun 13.

Department of Pathology, UPMC Shadyside Hospital, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

Telepathology has been an important application for second opinion consultation ever since the introduction of digital pathology. However, little is known regarding teleconsultation for second opinion in transplantation. There is also limited literature on telepathology during organ donor procurement, typically utilized when general pathologists on-call request back-up to help assess donor biopsies for organ suitability or to diagnose newly discovered tumors with urgent time constraints. Read More

Transplant Proc 2020 Jun 19. Epub 2020 Jun 19.

Division of Hepatobiliary Pancreas Surgery and Abdominal Organ Transplantation, Daegu Catholic University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea. Electronic address:

Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) from donors with complex portal vein anomalies has been considered a challenging procedure because vasculobiliary variations of the donor's liver may lead to significant increases in donor and recipient complications. The use of donors with anatomic variations may be considered under the accurate preoperative planning if a more suitable donor is not available. We report a successful dual LDLT for 2 donors with portal vein anomaly to overcome the small-for-size graft syndrome and secure donor safety. Read More

Transplant Proc 2020 Jun 19. Epub 2020 Jun 19.

Division of Hepatobiliary Pancreas Surgery and Abdominal Organ Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Catholic University of Daegu College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.

There is no consensus regarding the use of systemic heparin, and long-term outcomes of living donor hepatectomy (LDH) without systemic heparinization have not yet been determined. This study was performed to determine whether systemic heparinization can be omitted during LDH, with a focus on donor safety and long-term outcomes. We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of 175 cases of LDH performed in our institution between January 2011 and December 2014: group I (n = 79) received systemic heparinization, whereas group II (n = 96) did not, but liver graft was flushed with a heparinized perfusate. Read More

J Biomater Appl 2020 Jun 20:885328220933890. Epub 2020 Jun 20.

Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, P.R China.

The ultimate goal of pancreatic tissue engineering is to create a long-lived substitute organ to treat diabetes. However, the lack of neovascularization and the occurrence of immune response limit the efficacy of tissue-engineered pancreas after transplantation. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous platelet concentrate containing a large number of growth factors and immunoregulatory factors. Read More

Macromol Biosci 2020 Jun 22:e2000021. Epub 2020 Jun 22.

Bioartificial Organs, Biomaterials Science and Technology Department, Faculty of Science and Technology, TechMed Centre, University of Twente, Enschede, 7500AE, The Netherlands.

Macroencapsulation of islets of Langerhans is a promising strategy for transplantation of insulin-producing cells in the absence of immunosuppression to treat type 1 diabetes. Hollow fiber membranes are of interest there because they offer a large surface-to-volume ratio and can potentially be retrieved or refilled. However, current available fibers have limitations in exchange of nutrients, oxygen, and delivery of insulin potentially impacting graft survival. Read More

Transpl Infect Dis 2020 Jun 20:e13373. Epub 2020 Jun 20.

Harold Simmons Center for Kidney Disease Research and Epidemiology, Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Kidney Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of California Irvine School of Medicine, Orange, CA, USA.

Transpl Int 2020 Jun 20. Epub 2020 Jun 20.

Health Psychology Research Unit, Royal Holloway University of London, and Health Psychology Research Ltd, Egham, Surrey, UK.

We examined quality of life (QoL) and other patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in 95 Simultaneous Pancreas and Kidney Transplant (SPKT) recipients and 41 patients wait-listed for SPKT recruited to the UK Access to Transplantation and Transplant Outcome Measures (ATTOM) programme. Wait-listed patients transplanted within 12 months of recruitment (n=22) were followed 12-months post-transplant and compared with those still wait-listed (n=19) to examine pre-to-post-transplant changes. Qualitative interviews with ten SPKT recipients 12-months post-transplant were analysed thematically. Read More

Surg Oncol 2020 Jun 20;33:81-95. Epub 2019 Dec 20.

Virgen de La Arrixaca Clinic and University Hospital, IMIB, Murcia, Spain.

Background: The study aim is to analyze the evolution over the last 25 years of the results reported after abdominal oncological surgery in patients aged 80 years of age and older. The primary endpoint was morbidity and mortality in this group of patients; the secondary endpoint was overall survival.

Methods: A systematic search strategy was used to browse through Medline/PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, ClinicalTrials. Read More

Liver Transpl 2020 Jun 19. Epub 2020 Jun 19.

Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery, Department of Surgery, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, 105-8461, Japan.

We enjoyed the article by Allard et al (1), evaluating the outcomes of the patients with spontaneous portosystemic shunts (SPSS) after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), and found that the incidence of portal complications was 8.6% in patients with a splenorenal shunt (SRS) > 8 mm and 38.5% in those with portal vein thrombosis and SRS > 15 mm, although mortality was not increased. Read More

United European Gastroenterol J 2020 Jun 18:2050640620934911. Epub 2020 Jun 18.

See list at the end of this article.

The overall objective of these guidelines is to provide evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and management of immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related digestive disease in adults and children. IgG4-related digestive disease can be diagnosed only with a comprehensive work-up that includes histology, organ morphology at imaging, serology, search for other organ involvement, and response to glucocorticoid treatment. Indications for treatment are symptomatic patients with obstructive jaundice, abdominal pain, posterior pancreatic pain, and involvement of extra-pancreatic digestive organs, including IgG4-related cholangitis. Read More

J Diabetes Metab Disord 2020 Jun 13;19(1):381-389. Epub 2020 Apr 13.

Department of Surgery, Clinical islet cell laboratory, Cardiovascular Innovation Institute, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY USA.

Purpose: Human islet isolation requires a defined collagenase-protease enzyme combination for obtaining a successful islet yield. While different islet laboratories use different enzyme combinations, a systematic methodology to identify optimal enzyme combinations and their concentrations within a single donor pancreas has not been tested. In this study, we designed a trisected pancreas model to test efficacy of three clinical grade enzyme blends (VitaCyte, Roche, SERVA) within a single pancreas. Read More

Transplant Direct 2020 May 27;6(5):e552. Epub 2020 Apr 27.

Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Transplantation, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands.

Patients that have undergone successful simultaneous pancreas/kidney (SPK) transplantation attain normoglycemia and are free from dialysis. However, only a minor improvement in quality of life (QOL) has been demonstrated. Here, we evaluated the role of psychological symptoms in QOL after SPK transplantation. Read More

Cell Transplant 2020 Jan-Dec;29:963689720934413

Cell Transplantation and Gene Therapy Institute, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.

Islet transplantation is a promising β-cell replacement therapy for type 1 diabetes, which can reduce glucose lability and hypoglycemic episodes compared with standard insulin therapy. Despite the tremendous progress made in this field, challenges remain in terms of long-term successful transplant outcomes. The insulin independence rate remains low after islet transplantation from one donor pancreas. Read More

Pancreas 2020 Jul;49(6):774-780

From the Department of Surgery.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate potential safety and clinical benefit of low-molecular-weight dextran (dextran) use in patients undergoing total pancreatectomy with islet auto transplantation (TPIAT).

Methods: We evaluated 124 children undergoing TPIAT at a single institution, either with (n = 72) or without (n = 52) perioperative dextran infusion. Data on islet graft function and postoperative complications were collected through electronic medical records and patient-reported outcomes from research questionnaires. Read More

Cir Cir 2020 ;88(3):254-262

Servicio Hospitalario de la Donación, Unidades Médicas de Alta Especialidad, Hospital de Especialidades N.º 1, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Centro Médico Nacional del Bajío, León, Guanajuato. México.

Background: The evolution of the activity of deceased organ donation and solid organ transplantation in Mexico was analyzed for the period of 2004-2018.

Method: The information of deceased donation and organ transplantation in Mexico was collected and ordered for said period. When there was no complete information for 2018, the data for 2017 were used instead. Read More

Int J Surg 2020 Jun 12. Epub 2020 Jun 12.

Department of Gastrointestinal and Transplant Surgery - Rio de Janeiro Federal University, Brazil.

Gallbladder cancer (GBCA) is a rare and fatal disease and the majority of patients presents with advanced stage. Surgical resection associated with lymphadenectomy is the only chance for cure. For patients in stages III and IV, extended resection is the only treatment to achieve R0 margins. Read More

Rev Bras Anestesiol 2020 May 12. Epub 2020 May 12.

University of Padova, Department of Medicine - DIMED, Section of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Padova, Itália.

Purpose: Kidney transplantation is the gold-standard treatment for end stage renal disease. Although different hemodynamic variables, like central venous pressure and mean arterial pressure, have been used to guide volume replacement during surgery, the best strategy still ought to be determined. Respiratory arterial Pulse Pressure Variation (PPV) is recognized to be a good predictor of fluid responsiveness for perioperative hemodynamic optimization in operating room settings. Read More

Gut Microbes 2020 Nov 12;11(6):1774-1789. Epub 2020 Jun 12.

Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University , Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.

Early dysbiosis of the gut microbiota is associated with the severity of acute pancreatitis (AP), although the underlying mechanism is unclear. Here, we investigated the role of crosstalk between NLRP3 and the gut microbiota in the development of AP utilizing gut microbiota deficient mice, as well as NLRP3 knockout (KO) mouse models. Pancreatic damage and systemic inflammation were improved in antibiotic-treated (Abx) and germ-free (GF) mice, accompanied by weakened activity of the intestinal NLRP3 inflammasome. Read More

Transplant Proc 2020 Jun 8. Epub 2020 Jun 8.

Foundation of Research and Science Development, Warsaw, Poland.

Introduction: The extracellular matrix (ECM) consists, among others, of polysaccharides, glycosaminoglycans, and proteins. It is being increasingly used in tissue bioengineering. Obtaining ECM of the highest quality through decellularization is a big challenge because of some differences in organ structure. Read More

J Tissue Eng 2020 Jan-Dec;11:2041731420924818. Epub 2020 May 27.

Defymed SAS, Strasbourg, France.

Cell encapsulation could overcome limitations of free islets transplantation but is currently limited by inefficient cells immune protection and hypoxia. As a response to these challenges, we tested in vitro and in vivo the safety and efficacy of a new macroencapsulation device named MailPan. Membranes of MailPan device were tested in vitro in static conditions. Read More

Curr Pharm Des 2020 Jun 10. Epub 2020 Jun 10.

Immunology Service, University Hospital Marqués de Valdecilla-IDIVAL, University of Cantabria, Santander. Spain.

Although acute renal graft rejection rate has declined in the last years, and because an adequate therapy can improve graft outcome, its therapy remains as one of the most significant challenges for pharmacists and physicians taking care of transplant patients. Due to the lack of evidence highlighted by the available metaanalyses we performed a narrative review focused on the basic mechanisms and current and future therapies of acute rejection in kidney transplantation. According to Kidney Disease/Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) guidelines, both clinical and subclinical acute rejection episodes should be treated. Read More

Curr Pharm Des 2020 Jun 10. Epub 2020 Jun 10.

Department of Transplantation Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet. Norway.

Background: Novel drugs and combinations for immunosuppression (IS) after liver transplantation is one main reason of improved graft and patient survival seen in the last decades. The backbone of IS are still steroids and calcineurin inhibitors, although novel drugs are being introduced such as mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors (mTOR inibitor). The challenge today along with increased patient survival is the adverse effects of long-term use of immunosuppressive drugs, mainly nephrotoxicity and other serious adverse effects. Read More

Exp Clin Transplant 2020 Jun;18(3):353-358

From the Institut de Transplantation Urologie Néphrologie (ITUN), CHU Nantes, Nantes, France.

Objectives: The main objective of this experimental study was to evaluate the feasibility of diabetes induction by total pancreatectomy and pancreatic allotransplant after diabetes induction by total pancreatectomy. The secondary objective was to evaluate metabolic (C-peptide, glycemia) and inflammatory (lactate and platelet levels) parameters after diabetes induction by total pancreatectomy and pancreatic allotransplant after total pancreatectomy.

Materials And Methods: The study protocol was approved by the French Minister of Research (APAFiS no. Read More

Am J Transplant 2020 Jun 8. Epub 2020 Jun 8.

Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine IV, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany.

Patients with chronic liver disease and patients after solid organ transplantation (SOT) are vulnerable to severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We evaluated fears, attitudes, and opinions associated with COVID-19 in 365 SOT recipients (95% liver, 5% pancreas/kidney), 112 SOT candidates, and 394 immediate household contacts in 2 German transplant centers. Seven (1. Read More

Cancers (Basel) 2020 Jun 4;12(6). Epub 2020 Jun 4.

Center for Oncological Research, University of Antwerp and Antwerp University Hospital, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium.

DNA methylation is a crucial epigenetic mechanism for gene expression regulation and cell differentiation. Furthermore, it was found to play a major role in multiple pathological processes, including cancer. In pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PNENs), epigenetic deregulation is also considered to be of significance, as the most frequently mutated genes have an important function in epigenetic regulation. Read More

Transpl Infect Dis 2020 Jun 8:e13355. Epub 2020 Jun 8.

Harold Simmons Center for Kidney Disease Research and Epidemiology, Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Kidney Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of California Irvine School of Medicine, Orange, California, United States.

There is fast-emerging, cumulative clinical data on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in kidney transplant recipients. Although respiratory tract symptoms are often the initial presentation among kidney transplant recipients who contract COVID-19, other clinical features which may indicate underlying SARS-CoV-2-related inflammation, such as gastrointestinal symptoms, are not uncommon. Hyponatremia can develop and may reflect underlying inflammation. Read More

Transplantation 2020 Jun 1. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

Department of Surgery, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX 77030.

Background: The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) poses unique challenges for immunosuppressed patients. Solid organ transplant recipients (SOT) comprise a large proportion of this group, yet there is limited knowledge about the presentation, clinical course and immunosuppression management of this novel infection among heart, lung, liver, pancreas and kidney transplant recipients.

Methods: We present 21 SOT diagnosed with COVID-19 between January 1, 2020 - April 22, 2020 at a US high-volume transplant center. Read More

J Nephrol 2020 Jun 3. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Division of General and Transplant Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.

Italy was the first Western country to face the COVID-19 pandemic. Here we report the results of a national survey on kidney transplantation activity in February and March 2020, and the results of a three-round Delphi consensus promoted by four scientific societies: the Italian Society of Organ Transplantation, the Italian Society of Nephrology, the Italian Society of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, and the Italian Group on Antimicrobial Stewardship. All 41 Italian transplant centers were invited to express their opinion in the Delphi rounds along with a group of seven experts. Read More

Clin Transplant 2020 Jun 3:e13998. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Kidney Pancreas Transplantation, Instituto de Trasplantes y Alta Complejidad (ITAC - Nephrology), Buenos Aires, Argentina.

In kidney transplantation, de novo donor-specific antibodies (DSA) correlate with poor graft survival, and Consensus Guidelines recommend a protocol biopsy. In pancreas transplantation, DSA are also associated with poor graft outcomes; however, there are no recommendations on protocol biopsies. We started an antibody screening protocol on pancreas transplant patients at 0, 3, 6, 12 months, and yearly. Read More

Am J Transplant 2020 Jun 1. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital and University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with increased risk of thromboembolic events, but the extent and duration of this hypercoagulable state remain unknown. We describe the first case report of renal allograft infarction in a 46-year-old kidney-pancreas transplant recipient with no prior history of thromboembolism, who presented 26 days after diagnosis of COVID-19. At the time of renal infarct, he was COVID-19 symptom free and repeat test for SARS-CoV-2 was negative. Read More

Am J Transplant 2020 Jun 1. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery, Department of Surgery, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.