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Review
. 2019 Jun;16(3):191-203.
doi: 10.1007/s11904-019-00440-x.

Solid Organ Transplantation in HIV-Infected Recipients: History, Progress, and Frontiers

Affiliations
Review

Solid Organ Transplantation in HIV-Infected Recipients: History, Progress, and Frontiers

William A Werbel et al. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep. 2019 Jun.

Abstract

Purpose of review: End-stage organ disease prevalence is increasing among HIV-infected (HIV+) individuals. Trial and registry data confirm that solid organ transplantation (SOT) is efficacious in this population. Optimizing access to transplant and decreasing complications represent active frontiers.

Recent findings: HIV+ recipients historically experienced 2-4-fold higher rejection. Integrase strand transferase inhibitors (INSTIs) minimize drug interactions and may reduce rejection along with lymphodepleting induction immunosuppression. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection has been associated with inferior outcomes, yet direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) may mitigate this. Experience in South Africa and the US HIV Organ Policy Equity (HOPE) Act support HIV+ donor to HIV+ recipient (HIV D+/R+) transplantation. SOT is the optimal treatment for end-stage organ disease in HIV+ individuals. Recent advances include use of INSTIs and DAAs in transplant recipients; however, strategies to improve access to transplant are needed. HIV D+/R+ transplantation is under investigation and may improve access and provide insights for HIV cure and pathogenesis research.

Keywords: HIV; Hepatitis C; Immunosuppression; Kidney; Liver; Rejection; Transplantation.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest

Drs. William Werbel and Christine Durand declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Assessment and Monitoring of the HIV-infected Solid Organ Transplant Candidate
This figure presents an abridged approach to pre-transplant risk stratification and management of HIV+ SOT patients, including immunosuppression and prophylaxis considerations. Light grey boxes denote standard HIV+ SOT practices whereas the darker grey boxes pertain to HIV D+/R+ SOT and other investigational protocols. Abbreviations APOL1 denotes apolipoprotein L1, ATG anti-thymocyte globulin, c/ml copies/milliliter, CMV cytomegalovirus, CNI calcineurin inhibitor, D+/R+ donor and recipient positive, DAA direct-acting antiviral, HBV hepatitis B virus, HCV hepatitis C virus, HPV human papilloma virus, INSTI integrase strand transfer inhibitor, MTOR mammalian target of rapamycin, NAT nucleic acid test, OI opportunistic infection, PJP Pneumocystis jirovecii, SOT solid organ transplant

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