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Updated: Aug 12, 2025
Murine Kidney Transplant Technique
Published on: October 20, 2015
Transplant of Kidneys From Hepatitis C Virus-Positive Donors To Hepatitis C Virus-Negative Recipients: A
Halinuer Shadekejiang1, Jiefu Zhu, Xiongfei Wu
1From the Department of Nephrology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.
Objectives:
Kidneys from hepatitis C virus-positive donors were often discarded due to the lack of an effective treatment for hepatitis C virus. However, the advent of direct-acting antivirals has facilitated great progress for treatment of hepatitis C virus, providing additional opportunities for patients waiting for kidney transplant. We explored the feasibility and safety of kidney transplant from hepatitis C virus- positive donors to hepatitis C virus-negative recipients in combination with direct-acting antiviral therapy.
Materials And Methods:
This was a single-center retrospective study of 7 recipients of hepatitis C virus- positive kidneys from June 2018 to June 2021. All recipients were treated with sofosbuvir/velpatasvir for 12 weeks after kidney transplant. The primary recipients' outcome was achievement of sustained viral eradication at 12 weeks after treatment, and follow-up secondary outcomes were kidney function recovery, liver function, and adverse drug reactions. We reviewed previous studies, from 2017 to 2022, to analyze achievement of sustained viral eradication at 12 weeks after treatment, recipient and graft survival, and adverse event of kidney transplant from a hepatitis C virus-positive donor to a hepatitis C virus-negative recipient.
Results:
Median follow-up time was 71 weeks (range, 56-183 weeks). All recipients achieved sustained viral eradication at 12 weeks after treatment, and their kidney function recovered without severe liver damage or adverse drug reactions. Previous studies suggested that transplant of hepatitis C virus-positive donor kidneys is safe and feasible when combined with direct-acting antiviral therapy. However, details regarding optimal duration of treatment and directacting antiviral regimen remain undetermined, so prospective randomized studies are warranted.
Conclusions:
Our study further confirms that kidney transplant from hepatitis C virus-positive donors to hepatitis C virus-negative recipients is safe and feasible with direct-acting antiviral treatment. Grafts from hepatitis C virus-infected donors may be effective to resolve the problem of kidney shortage.
Insights
Kidney transplants from hepatitis C virus-positive donors to negative recipients are safe and effective using direct-acting antivirals. This approach can help alleviate kidney transplant waiting lists.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Hepatology
- Transplant Surgery
Background:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive donor kidneys were often discarded due to lack of effective treatment.
- Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have revolutionized HCV treatment, creating new opportunities for kidney transplantation.
- Kidney donor shortages necessitate exploring underutilized donor pools.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility and safety of kidney transplantation from HCV-positive donors to HCV-negative recipients.
- To assess the efficacy of direct-acting antiviral therapy in eradicating HCV post-transplant.
- To analyze recipient and graft survival, kidney function, and adverse events.
Main Methods:
- A single-center retrospective study of 7 recipients of HCV-positive donor kidneys.
- Recipients received sofosbuvir/velpatasvir for 12 weeks post-transplant.
- Literature review of studies from 2017-2022 on similar transplants and DAA therapy.
Main Results:
- All 7 recipients achieved sustained viral eradication at 12 weeks post-treatment.
- Kidney function recovered well in all recipients.
- No severe liver damage or significant adverse drug reactions were observed.
Conclusions:
- Kidney transplantation from HCV-positive donors to HCV-negative recipients is safe and feasible with DAA therapy.
- Utilizing HCV-positive donor kidneys can effectively address the critical shortage of donor organs.
- Further prospective randomized studies are needed to optimize treatment duration and DAA regimens.
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