Outcome of bought living non-related donor kidneys followed up at a single centre

Between October 1985 and November 1991, 16 dialysis patients travelled to Bombay and bought kidneys from living non-related Indian donors for U.S. $7,372. One patient died peri-operatively; one contracted HIV and another hepatitis B virus infections. Six patients are presently positive for hepatitis C virus antibody compared to two cadaver graft recipients (P = 0.03); two of the six patients have chronic active hepatitis. Five-year patient and graft survival rates (75% and 43%, respectively) were similar to those of recipients of 24 cadaver grafts obtained in the United States (67% and 55%, respectively), as was graft function during the first 5 years of follow-up. Graft survival may have improved following commercial kidney transplantation in Bombay, but this practise still poses a risk of dangerous infections and exploitation of donors and recipients. The establishment of a centralized programme of anonymous "rewarded gifting" in countries that cannot eradicate rampant organ commerce may help to expunge exploitation and to ensure uniform, acceptable clinical standards and the safety of patients.