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Updated: Jun 16, 2026
Normothermic Ex Vivo Kidney Perfusion for the Preservation of Kidney Grafts prior to Transplantation
Published on: July 15, 2015
ERRATUM: Kidney decontamination during perfusion for transplantation procedure: In vitro and ex vivo viability
Loraine C Goenaga-Mafud1, Yordania Matos Gamez1, Carolina P Campos1
1São Carlos Institute of Physics, University of São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Abstract:
Organ transplantations have an increasing medical relevance. It is becoming a regular procedure with an increase in individuals waiting for organs. The increase in the number of discarded organs is mostly due to the donor's bacterial and/or viral infection. In this article, we are demonstrating the feasibility of reduction of the bacterial load in the kidney model by using Ultraviolet-C (UV-C) as a germicidal agent in circulating liquids. Using Staphylococcus aureus as a bacteria model, we were able to demonstrate that in less than 30 min of liquid circulation and associated to irradiation, the bacterial load of the perfusate Custodiol® HTK, histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (solution with 5 log CFU ml-1 ), was fully eliminated. A modeling approach was created to verify the possibility of bacterial load decrease, when an organ (here, a renal experimental model) is present in the circuit, releasing a varied rate of microorganisms over time, while the solution is irradiated. Finally, we use an ex vivo model with a swine kidney, circulating in the preservation solution with a Lifeport® Kidney Transporter machine, to demonstrate that we can contaminate the organ and then promote the elimination of the microbiological load. The results show the feasibility of the technique.
Insights
Ultraviolet-C (UV-C) irradiation effectively eliminates bacterial contamination in organ preservation solutions, significantly reducing discarded organs due to infection. This germicidal technique offers a promising approach to enhance organ transplant safety and availability.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biotechnology
- Medical Engineering
Context:
- Organ transplantation is a critical medical procedure with a growing demand for viable organs.
- Bacterial and/or viral infections in donors frequently lead to the discarding of otherwise suitable organs.
- Current preservation methods face challenges in addressing microbial contamination, impacting organ viability and transplant success rates.
Purpose:
- To investigate the efficacy of Ultraviolet-C (UV-C) germicidal irradiation in reducing bacterial load within organ preservation solutions.
- To assess the feasibility of UV-C treatment for decontamination in a kidney model, considering the presence of the organ during circulation.
- To validate the technique using an ex vivo swine kidney model and a Lifeport® Kidney Transporter.
Summary:
- UV-C irradiation demonstrated rapid and complete elimination of Staphylococcus aureus from Custodiol® HTK preservation solution within 30 minutes.
- A mathematical model confirmed bacterial load reduction in a renal model with continuous UV-C treatment.
- Ex vivo experiments with a swine kidney successfully showed decontamination of a contaminated organ and preservation solution.
Impact:
- This study presents a novel, feasible method for microbial decontamination in organ preservation, potentially reducing organ discard rates.
- The application of UV-C germicidal technology could improve the safety and availability of organs for transplantation.
- This research opens avenues for improved strategies in organ preservation and transplantation protocols, enhancing patient outcomes.
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