Beneficial effects of donor-specific transfusions on long-term renal allograft function

Transplant Proc. 1995 Feb;27(1):991-4.

Abstract

The induction of immunologic unresponsiveness to improve renal allograft survival was attempted in 163 patients by the pretransplant administration of donor-specific whole blood or buffy coat in conjunction with continuous Aza immunosuppression. All donor-recipient combinations were at least one-haplotype disparate, and 21 were two-haplotype disparate. Transient sensitization occurred in 2% and permanent sensitization in 7%. Over a 10-year period, the DST+Aza allograft survival rate is similar to the HLA-identical sibling transplants. The CMV sepsis rate was only 2%, and there were no lymphoproliferative neoplasms. The low rate of sensitization (7%) has permitted almost all patients to undergo eventual renal transplantation from the specific blood donor. This and the low rate of early rejection (3%) argues for a modification of the immunologic response.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Controlled Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Azathioprine / therapeutic use
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Blood Group Incompatibility
  • Blood Transfusion*
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Graft Survival / immunology*
  • Graft Survival / physiology
  • Histocompatibility Testing
  • Humans
  • Immunization
  • Immunosuppression Therapy / methods
  • Kidney Transplantation / immunology*
  • Kidney Transplantation / physiology
  • Nuclear Family
  • Postoperative Complications / epidemiology
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Time Factors
  • Tissue Donors*
  • Transplantation, Homologous

Substances

  • Azathioprine