Comparison Between Total IgG, C1q, and C3d Single Antigen Bead Assays in Detecting Class I Complement-Binding Anti-HLA Antibodies.

Background: Complement-binding donor-specific antibodies (DSAs) are associated with antibody-mediated rejection and allograft loss. Novel single antigen bead (SAB) assays-that is, complement component 1q (C1q) and complement component 3d (C3d) assays-have been developed to specifically detect complement-binding DSA, but it remains unclear whether these assays have an improved ability to detect complement-binding DSA as compared with using the total IgG SAB assay with a high mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) cutoff. The aim of this study was to compare the ability of the total IgG, C1q, and C3d SAB assays in detecting complement-binding anti-HLA antibodies.

The effect of aspirin on kidney allograft outcomes; a short review to current studies.

Context: The use of aspirin in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients has been shown to reduce myocardial infarction but may increase major bleeding. However, its effects in kidney transplant recipients are unclear.

Evidence Acquisitions: A literature search was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews from inception through September 2016.

Decline in prevalence and risk of helicobacter pylori in kidney transplant recipients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: The study's aims were (1) to investigate the prevalence and (2) to assess the risk of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in kidney transplant recipients.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed from inception until September 2016.

Kidney Transplant With Low Levels of DSA or Low Positive B-Flow Crossmatch: An Underappreciated Option for Highly Sensitized Transplant Candidates.

Background: Avoiding donor-specific antibody (DSA) is difficult for sensitized patients. Improved understanding of the risk of low level DSA is needed.

Methods: We retrospectively compared the outcomes of 954 patients transplanted with varied levels of baseline DSA detected by single antigen beads and B flow cytometric crossmatch (XM).

Unique Considerations When Managing Hypertension in the Transplant Patient.

For the select fortunate recipients of organ transplants, transplantation affords the rare opportunity for a new life. Given the scarcity of organs for transplantation, it is imperative that the health of transplant recipients be optimized in order to fully benefit from this gift of life. Unfortunately, hypertension is highly prevalent in the transplant population and it is considered a major cardiovascular risk factor contributing to mortality and morbidity in this population.

How Can We Improve the Quality of Life of Dialysis Patients?

As medical advances are made in the care of persons with chronic illnesses including those with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), patients are not only experiencing increasing life expectancy but also bearing the burden of illness and treatment for a longer duration of time. With this in mind, it is increasingly important for health care providers to pay close attention to their individual patient's perceptions of their health, fitness, life satisfaction, and well-being. This assessment of Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) also includes an evaluation of the patient's level of satisfaction with treatment, outcome, and health status, also taking into account their perspective on future prospects.

The role of organic transporters in pharmacokinetics and nephrotoxicity of newer antiviral therapies for HIV and hepatitis C.

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and direct acting antiviral agents (DAAs) are key elements in the effective pharmacotherapy of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) respectively. These two chronic illnesses affect millions of persons at any given time, though only a select proportion has been eligible for successful treatment. With the development of newer, safer and more effective antiviral therapies it is expected that a greater proportion of those infected will have access to these life-saving therapies.