Evolving clinical strategies for transplantation in the HIV-positive recipient

Abstract

The transplant community has been slow to recognize the efficacy of highly active antiretroviral therapy in changing the course of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection to a chronic condition. People infected with HIV are dying less often from progression of HIV to acquired immune deficiency syndrome. Unfortunately, there is an increasing rate of morbidity and mortality from comorbidities resulting in end-stage liver and kidney disease, prompting some transplant centers to eliminate HIV infection as a contraindication to transplantation. This overview will describe the evolving clinical strategies that have resulted in good outcomes after solid organ transplantation in the HIV-positive recipient.