Study shows donor kidneys with toxoplasma do not increase risks for transplant patients
A new study from UC Davis Health could help to increase the supply of donor kidneys.
Researchers have found that transplant patients who receive kidneys infected with the parasite toxoplasma have virtually the same outcomes as those who receive toxoplasma-negative organs.
Despite longstanding concerns, those who received kidneys from toxoplasma antibody positive donors (TPDs) had almost identical mortality and rejection rates. The research was published in Transplant International.
The study analyzed 51,000 transplants from the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network database. Of those, 4,300 were TPD. They found rejection and graft failure was 5% for both TPD and non-TPD kidneys. Other measures were similarly aligned. In other words, the TPD kidneys posed no additional risk.
The authors believe it is safe to transplant TPD kidneys — but do recommend additional monitoring. However, transplant patients routinely receive Bactrim, a two-antibiotic combination that is effective against toxoplasma and this may already be mitigating their risk. Most patients receive Bactrim for a year, but that could be extended for TPD cases.
The authors hope this work will help transplant centers unify their TPD policies. UC Davis Health is currently writing new protocols for pediatric transplants.
