Hepatitis C virus genotype 7, a new genotype originating from central Africa.

We report a new hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype identified in patients originating from the Democratic Republic of Congo. The prototype QC69 virus is shown to be a new lineage distinct from genotypes 1 to 6. Three additional patients were also found to be infected by a virus from this lineage, confirming its circulation in humans.

Conversion from twice-daily to once-daily extended-release tacrolimus in renal transplant recipients: 2-year results and review of the literature.

Objectives: Tacrolimus extended-release formulation has been approved for use in Canada since October 2008. In initial studies, efficacy and safety profile were demonstrated as similar for both formulations (twice-daily tacrolimus and extended-release formula tacrolimus). To validate the safety and efficacy of extended-release formula tacrolimus, we conducted a prospective observational study.

Sirolimus Immunoprophylaxis and Renal Histological Changes in Long-Term Cardiac Transplant Recipients: A Pilot Study.

Background: The effects of sirolimus (SIR), as a substitution for calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) immunoprophylaxis, on renal function in very-long-term cardiac transplant recipients have been a matter of controversy.

Objective: To assess the impacts of SIR as a substitution for CNI on renal function up to 24 months in long-term cardiac recipients as well as the renal histological changes in patients with suspected CNI-induced nephrotoxicity.

Methods: A total of 23 cardiac transplant recipients aged 57.

The incidence, management, and evolution of rapamycin-related side effects in kidney transplant recipients.

Conversion from a calcineurin-inhibitor-based immunosuppression to a rapamycin-based immunosuppression may preserve kidney graft function. The side effects of rapamycin can limit its usefulness, but their management and evolution are rarely reported in clinical trials. We performed a retrospective cohort study in patients transplanted before December 31, 2008 and who received rapamycin to replace calcineurin inhibitors.

The role of proton pump inhibitors on early mycophenolic acid exposure in kidney transplantation: evidence from the CLEAR study.

Introduction: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are often prescribed posttransplantation to prevent gastrointestinal complications. A series of recent studies have reported a relationship between PPI comedication and decreased mycophenolic acid (MPA) exposure. The objective of this subanalysis of the CLEAR data set was to determine the impact of PPI therapy on full MPA area under the curve exposures at Day 5 post kidney transplant.

The CLEAR study: a 5-day, 3-g loading dose of mycophenolate mofetil versus standard 2-g dosing in renal transplantation.

Background And Objectives: Adequate early mycophenolic acid (MPA) exposure is associated with lower rates of acute rejection in renal transplantation. The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to determine if higher initial mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) doses increased the proportion of patients reaching therapeutic MPA levels (30 to 60 mg.h/L) by day 5.

Brain death diagnoses and evaluation of the number of potential organ donors in Quebec hospitals.

Purpose: Faced with our inability to respond to the growing number of Quebec patients waiting for organ transplants, we sought to determine the number of potential organ donors (OD) in acute care hospitals.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of all acute care, in-hospital deaths in Quebec in the year 2000 was undertaken. Hospital record librarians provided statistics and completed questionnaires on each chart after applying exclusion and inclusion criteria.

Clinical outcomes during the first three months posttransplant in renal allograft recipients managed by C2 monitoring of cyclosporine microemulsion.

Background: MO2ART (monitoring of 2-hr absorption in renal transplantation) is the first prospective, multicenter trial of cyclosporine (CsA) blood level 2 hr postdose (C2) monitoring in de novo kidney recipients receiving CsA microemulsion (ME) (Neoral; Novartis, Basel, Switzerland). Efficacy and safety results from the first 3 months are presented here.

Methods: MO2ART is a 12-month, open-label, randomized study involving 296 patients.