Factors and outcome in BK virus nephropathy in a Hispanic kidney transplant population.

Unlabelled: BK virus nephropathy (BKVN) is an increasingly recognized cause of kidney allograft loss and is thought to be related to the newer, more potent immunosuppressive agents. Conflicting information has been reported on risk factors for BK infection.

Purpose: To determine incidence, associated factors, and outcome of BKVN in our kidney transplant population in order to improve identification and management.

A 16-fold increase in organ donation in a Hispanic population.

Unlabelled: Organ transplantation as a substitute for diseased organs in end-stage organ failure has led to a worldwide increase in this treatment modality, but donation has not kept pace with the demand, despite scientific, social, and government efforts. For many years, Hispanic donation in Puerto Rico was meager and lagged behind major centers in North America and Europe. Studies signaled mostly cultural factors in this limited donation.

Assessing the risk of infection and rejection in Hispanic renal transplant recipients by means of an adenosine triphosphate release assay.

Introduction: Because of the necessary immunosuppression, transplant recipients have a high risk of infection. Conversely, underimmunosuppression carries with it the risk of rejection. It would be quite useful to have a test that could differentiate between infection and rejection in renal transplant patients and better still, to predict which patients are at risk of complications.

HLA is not predictive of posttransplant diabetes mellitus.

Aims: New-onset posttransplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) is a frequent complication of kidney transplantation. The goal of this study was to identify if the tendency to develop PTDM was associated to the HLA, as is seen in the general population.

Methods: A retrospective study was made of 525 patients who underwent renal transplantation between 1997 and 2004.