Lower prevalence of BK virus infection in African American renal transplant recipients: a prospective study.

Background: Because the occurrence of BK virus (BKV) nephritis is far less frequent than BK viremia or viruria, analysis of risk factors for BKV nephritis as an endpoint could lead to erroneous findings. We undertook a prospective study to evaluate the risk factors for the occurrence of BKV infections using BK viruria and viremia as endpoints.

Methods: Two hundred forty renal only transplant recipients were prospectively enrolled into our institutional review board-approved single center study to evaluate various aspects of posttransplant BKV infection.

Percussion hemoglobinuria - a novel term for hand trauma-induced mechanical hemolysis: a case report.

Introduction: Extracorpuscular hemolysis caused by mechanical trauma has been well described in relation to lower extremity use, such as in soldiers and runners. Terms such as "march hemoglobinuria", "foot strike hemolysis" and "runners hemoglobinuria" have previously been coined and are easily recalled. Newer cases, however, are being identified in individuals vigorously using their upper extremities, such as drum players who use their hands to strike the instrument.

Successful treatment of BK viremia using reduction in immunosuppression without antiviral therapy.

Background: Treatment of BK virus (BKV) infection in renal transplant recipients remains controversial. This retrospective analysis evaluated efficacy and safety of reducing immunosuppression without antiviral therapy.

Methods: This single center analysis included 24 patients diagnosed with BK viremia between September 2001 and December 2003.

BK virus nephritis: risk factors, timing, and outcome in renal transplant recipients.

Background: BK virus nephritis (BKVN) has emerged as an important cause of renal transplant failure. Quantified analysis of its timing and clinical course is generally lacking. We have thus quantified the timing, risk factors, evolution of renal function, and transplant graft outcome in renal transplant recipients with BKVN from our center.

Humanized anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (Rituximab) treatment for post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder.

Introduction: Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) is a consequence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and is a B-cell hyperplasia with CD-20 positive lymphocytes. The treatment of PTLD includes reduction/withdrawal of immunosuppression and chemotherapy. This study reports our center experience with humanized monoclonal antibody against CD-20 (Rituximab) for the treatment of PTLD.

A comparison between recipients receiving matched kidney and those receiving mismatched kidney from the same cadaver donor.

The optimal allocation of cadaveric kidneys for transplantation with reference to human leukocyte antigen (HLA) match and sharing these organs to a distant center remains controversial. The current analysis was performed using the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database for cadaveric kidney transplants (Tx) between 1988 and 1997. The graft survivals of zero-mismatch (matched) kidneys with the mate (mismatched) kidneys were compared.

Post-transplant renal function in the first year predicts long-term kidney transplant survival.

Background: Improvements in long-term kidney graft survival have been recently noted. However, the reasons for this were unclear. This study examined post-transplant renal function within the first year as an independent variable influencing long-term survival.

Rapid kidney allograft failure in patients with polyoma virus nephritis with prior treatment with antilymphocyte agents.

Interstitial nephritis owing to polyoma virus infection (PVi) mimics acute allograft rejection. The risk factors for graft failure associated with PVi are unknown. This prompted us to analyse the relationship between the use of antilymphocyte agents (ALA) and graft dysfunction in renal transplant recipients with PVi.