[Use and limits of preventive antilymphocyte globulin therapy following kidney transplantation. A prospective...

The influence of prophylactic ALG treatment immediately after transplantation on the results of renal transplantation was examined in a prospectively randomized trial (n = 94). An improved graft survival rate was found after 9 months (ALG group 72.3%, control group 59.6%) which, however, was associated with an increased risk of infections. The increased infection rate was due to the duration of the ALG treatment which was too long in this study (21 days). Prophylaxis should rather be finished after 14 days. The immediate renal function after transplantation was significantly improved in the ALG group. Therefore, it is suggested to give ALG directly after transplantation until normalization of renal function and to change over to cyclosporin afterward.