Successful ABO incompatible living donor liver transplantation in a patient with high isoagglutinin titer using high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin

Transplant Proc. 2007 Dec;39(10):3491-4. doi: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2007.09.028.

Abstract

The optimal management in living donor liver transplantation using an ABO incompatible donor with a high isoagglutinin titer is still uncertain. Our patient was a 20-year-old woman with fulminant hepatitis. The only available donor was her 54-year-old father-in-law of an incompatible blood type. The initial isoagglutinin titer was 2048x. She received 375 mg/m2 of anti-CD20 antibody 3 days before the living donor liver transplantation with concomitant splenectomy. Despite daily plasma exchanges after transplantation, the isoagglutinin titer started to shoot up to its maximum value of 2048x, with a sudden decline in the bile output. High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (0.6 g/kg) was given after the plasma exchanges; thereafter, her liver function tests stabilized without a further increase in the isoagglutinin titer. We showed the effectiveness of high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin for the management of the rebound elevation of isoagglutinin titer. The combination of anti-CD20 antibody and daily plasma exchanges seemed ineffective for such a situation. This strategy might be another management option for ABO incompatible liver transplantation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • ABO Blood-Group System*
  • Acute Disease
  • Adult
  • Agglutinins / blood*
  • Blood Group Incompatibility*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / therapeutic use*
  • Liver Failure / surgery*
  • Liver Transplantation / immunology*
  • Living Donors*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • ABO Blood-Group System
  • Agglutinins
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous