Recurrent lupus nephritis in renal transplant recipients revisited: it is not rare.

Background: Although recurrent lupus nephritis (RLN) after kidney transplantation is reported to be rare (1%-4%), recent studies suggest a higher incidence. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of RLN in a large cohort of renal transplant recipients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: The records of 54 renal transplant recipients with SLE were reviewed.

Long-term renal function in heart transplant recipients receiving cyclosporine therapy.

Background: Immunosuppression with cyclosporine has improved allograft function and reduced both morbidity and mortality in organ transplantation. However, cyclosporine-induced nephrotoxicity still is a concern. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the effects of cyclosporine on renal function in orthotopic heart transplant recipients.

Isoniazid hepatotoxicity in renal transplant recipients.

Tuberculosis occurs at higher rates in renal transplant recipients than in the general population. It would be desirable to use isoniazid prophylaxis in renal transplant recipients at risk for reactivation of tuberculosis; yet many transplant centers do not routinely employ INH prophylaxis because they perceive transplant recipients to be an enhanced risk of hepatotoxicity from isoniazid. Data on the risk of isoniazid in renal transplant patients receiving cyclosporine-based immunosuppression are limited.

Acyclovir prophylaxis for cytomegalovirus disease in high-risk renal transplant recipients: is it effective?

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a significant cause of post-transplantation morbidity and mortality in renal transplant recipients. The risk of CMV infection is between 60 to 88% in CMV seronegative patients who receive kidneys from CMV seropositive donors (D+, R-). In order to evaluate the efficacy of oral acyclovir in prevention of CMV infection after transplantation, we retrospectively reviewed the records of 25 patients (D+, R-) who were transplanted between January 1993 and December 1995.