Abstracts » Health

Valacyclovir for the prevention of cytomegalovirus disease after renal transplantation

Article Abstract:

The antiviral drug valacyclovir appears to be effective in reducing the risk of cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease in kidney transplant recipients. Cytomegalovirus can be transmitted by organ transplants and can cause the person to reject the organ. Researchers randomly assigned 618 kidney transplant recipients to take valacyclovir or a placebo every day for up to three months. About 200 of the patients did not have CMV but their donor did. Valacyclovir significantly reduced the frequency of CMV disease, from 45% in the placebo group to 3% in the valacyclovir group. Rejection occurred in half the placebo group but only one-fourth of the valacyclovir group.

Evaluation, Prevention, Cytomegalovirus infections, Valacyclovir

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The economic implications of HLA matching in cadaveric renal transplantation

Article Abstract:

It is apparently cheaper to completely match donated kidneys with their recipients and to use locally donated kidneys. A complete match means the donated kidney is completely compatible with the recipient. In a study of all Medicare payments for kidney transplants between 1991 and 1997, the costs of a complete match were 34% lower than the costs of an incomplete match. Costs were also lower for locally donated organs because they did not have to be stored in the cold for as long as organs donated from other parts of the country.

Economic aspects, Transplantation of organs, tissues, etc., Organ transplantation, Tissue transplantation, Transplantation, Histocompatibility

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The effect of tolerance to noninherited maternal HLA antigens on the survival of renal transplants from sibling donors

Article Abstract:

People who were exposed to certain maternal immune characteristics in the uterus may be able to tolerate an organ transplant from a sibling who inherited those characteristics. Researchers evaluated transplant survival in 205 patients who received a kidney transplant from a sibling. Transplant survival was highest in patients who received a kidney from a sibling who inherited maternal immune characteristics. Those who received a transplant from a sibling who inherited paternal immune characteristics did not do as well.

Biocompatibility

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