Treatment of the Acute Humoral Rejection in Kidney Allografts

Abstract

Introduction: Acute humoral rejection (AHR) is a severe complication for renal transplantation usually causing a poor graft prognosis. A recent therapeutic approach with plasmapheresis and intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) has being proposed. Purpose: To describe the effectiveness of the treatment of AHR. Patients and methods: From January 2002 to April 2008 fifteen patients were diagnosed as having AHR, and they were treated with plasmapheresis and IVIg or ATG/OKT3 in our institution. Results: Reversal of AHR was attained in twelve (80%) patients. One-year patient and graft survivals were 100% and 73%, respectively. One successfully treated patient had the immunosuppressive regimen discontinued due the presence of sepsis, and the graft was subsequently lost. Conclusion: We concluded that this is an efficient therapeutic, allowing the survival of the majority of grafts.