Novel approach for improved assessment of phenotypic and functional characteristics of BKV-specific T-cell immunity.

Background: BKV-associated nephropathy represents a serious complication of the posttransplant period in kidney transplant recipients. Monitoring BKV-specific immunity is of a special importance for estimation of clinical course in patients with BKV reactivation. Our recent data demonstrated that all five BKV antigens are immunogenic and elicit T-cell responses varying within patients.

Treatment of cytomegalovirus disease with valganciclovir in renal transplant recipients: a single center experience.

Recent data suggest valganciclovir (VGC) to be as effective as ganciclovir for cytomegalovirus (CMV) prophylaxis. The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of oral valganciclovir in renal transplant patients with symptomatic CMV infection. Twenty-one patients with symptomatic CMV infection received VGC in doses adjusted to renal function until resolution of CMV antigenemia.

Enhanced granulysin mRNA expression in urinary sediment in early and delayed acute renal allograft rejection.

Background: Acute rejection (aRx) has a major impact on the long-term outcome of renal allografts, and its diagnosis is contingent on the invasive procedure of allograft biopsy. New immunosuppressive protocols have reduced the incidence but have not abolished this problem. Moreover, aRx is now more frequently seen several weeks after transplantation in outpatients.

Kidney transplantation at the Charité: long tradition, elderly patients and the duration of hospitalization.

Since the sixties kidneys have been transplanted successfully at the 2 predecessors of today's transplant center at the Charité. So far, 1,290 kidneys were transplanted resulting in 89.8% overall graft survival at one year and 78.