The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of donor-specific antibodies (DSA) and flow cytometry crossmatch (FCCM) as tools for predicting antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) in desensitized kidney recipients. Sera from 44 patients with DSA at the time of transplant were reviewed. Strength of DSA was determined by single antigen Luminex bead assay and expressed as mean fluorescence intensity (MFI). T- and B-cell FCCM results were expressed as mean channel shift (MCS). AMR was diagnosed by C4d deposition on biopsy. Incidence of early AMR was 31%. Significant differences in the number of DSAs (p = 0.0002), cumulative median MFI in DSA class I (p = 0.0004), and total (class I + class II) DSA (p < 0.0001) were found in patients with and without AMR. No significant difference was seen in MCS of T and B FCCM (p = 0.095 and p = 0.307, respectively). The three-yr graft survival in desensitized patients with DSA having total MFI < 9500 was 100% compared to 76% with those having total MFI > 9500 (p = 0.022). Desensitized kidney transplant recipients having higher levels of class I and total DSA MFI are at high risk for AMR and poor graft survival. Recipient DSA MFI appears to be a more reliable predictor of AMR than MCS of FCCM.

CT-based volume measurements in living donor imaging have sufficient correlation with nuclear-based SRF. Selective use of nuclear-scan-based SRF allows careful selection for donor nephrectomy.

Introduction: Blood transfusion is a risk factor for allosensitization. Nevertheless, blood transfusion posttransplant remains a common practice. We evaluated the effect of posttransplant blood transfusion on graft outcomes. Methods: We included nonsensitized, first-time, kidney-alone recipients transplanted between 1 July 2015 and 31 December 2017. Patients were grouped based on receiving blood transfusion in the first 30 days posttransplant. The primary end point was a composite outcome of biopsy-proven acute rejection, death of any cause, or graft failure in the first year posttransplant. Secondary outcomes included the individual components of the primary outcome and the cumulative incidence of de novo donor-specific antibodies (DSAs). Results: Two hundred seventy-three patients were included. One hundred twenty-seven (47%) received blood transfusion. Patients in the transfusion group were more likely to be older, have had a deceased donor, and have received induction with basiliximab. There was no difference between groups in the composite primary outcome (adjusted hazard ratio ¼ [HR] 1.34; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.83-2.17; P ¼ 0.23). The cumulative incidence of de novo DSAs during the first year posttransplant was similar between groups (12.8% transfusion vs. 10.9% no transfusion, P ¼ 0.48). Conclusion: Early transfusion of blood products in kidney transplant recipients receiving induction with lymphocyte depletion was not associated with an increased hazard of experiencing acute rejection, death from any cause, or graft loss.

The risk of post-transplant dnDSA development correlates with early immunosuppressive management.