A seven-year experience with donor-specific blood transfusions. Results and considerations for maximum efficacy

• Published in: Transplantation Vol. 40; no. 6; p. 654
• Main Authors: Salvatierra, Jr, O, Melzer, J, Potter, D, Garovoy, M, Vincenti, F, Amend, W J, Husing, R, Hopper, S, Feduska, N J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.12.1985
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Blood Transfusion; Follow-Up Studies; Graft Rejection; Graft Survival; Histocompatibility Testing; HLA Antigens - analysis; Humans; Kidney Transplantation; Middle Aged; Tissue Donors
• ISSN: 0041-1337
• DOI: 10.1097/00007890-198512000-00016

Two hundred thirty-nine transplants have been performed following donor-specific blood transfusions (DSTs) since 1978. Graft and patient survival in 1- and 0-haplotype-matched transplants with DST pretreatment is comparable to HLA-identical results through 4 years. Graft survival in 174 consecutive nondiabetic, non-HLA-identical DST recipients shows that the transfusion effect persists for at least 4 years, with graft survival of 88 +/- 3% at that time, compared with 83 +/- 4% in the concurrent HLA-identical group. Graft function, as determined by serum creatinine, was the same in both groups. Graft and patient survival in 20 0-haplotype matched pairs with DST pretreatment is 100% at 2 years. Low-dose Imuran coverage during DST administration (n = 91) was compared with a concurrent group with no Imuran (n = 93). Imuran had its maximum effect in patients undergoing their first transplant and with a pre-DST PRA less than 10% (12% vs. 21% sensitization rate in the no-Imuran group). Imuran did not appear to confer any beneficial effect in primary transplants with high PRAs and in patients undergoing a second or third transplant. The majority of patients formally excluded from transplantation because of a post-DST positive B-warm crossmatch can now be successfully transplanted with the use of flow cytometry analysis to rule out previously undetectable low levels of anti-T-lymphocyte antibodies. Of 62 patients with a positive B-warm crossmatch alone since 1982, 73% had a subsequent negative fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) crossmatch permitting transplantation. Preliminary results of a DST and cyclosporine treatment study are described. In conclusion, a long-term immunologic effect of DST has been confirmed and the indications and considerations for optimum use of the DST protocol have been more clearly defined.