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7/31/2008
Trypanosoma cruzi, a parasite that causes Chagas disease, is endemic in parts of Mexico, South and Central America. Transmission of T. cruzi infection by solid organ transplantation has been reported in Latin America and United States1 (Figure 1). Our laboratory began to test organ donors for anti-T. cruzi using FDA’s approved EIA on April 15, 2007
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5/31/2008
There is currently a lack of predictive methods to define glucocorticoid (GC) sensitivity, which is extremely variable among individuals. In particular, identifying patients in whom steroids will have immunosuppressive and toxic activities is important in transplantation. Therefore we have sought to establish an in vitro pharmacokinetic assay to investigate leukocyte proliferation and cytokine production, with the intention of applying such a test in transplantation.
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5/31/2008
Polyomavirus-associated nephropathy often precedes renal allograft dysfunction in adult renal transplant recipients. The Organ Procurement and Transplant Network/ the United Network for Organ Sharing (OPTN/UNOS) began collecting information regarding polyomavirus test results using follow-up forms since June 30, 2004. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of clinical polyomavirus disease (PVD) on graft survival after pediatric kidney transplantation.
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5/31/2008
Alport Syndrome accounts for approximately 1% of kidney transplants. It is a hereditary cause of kidney failure associated with hearing loss, more often affecting males than females. Loss of kidney function is attributed to collagen defects in the glomerular basement membrane. Formation of antibody reactive to normal collagen in the transplanted kidney may increase the risk of graft loss.
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5/31/2008
Despite improved early graft survival (currently over 90% at 1-year) long-term graft loss rate has not been reduced. Both HLA antibodies and HLA donor specific antibodies (DSA) have been shown to contribute to acute and chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN), particularly the former. In a longitudinal study, HLA antibodies were linked to graft failure. Recently, Class II DSA have been shown to correlate with graft failure in renal transplant recipients with grafts surviving at least one year.
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5/31/2008
It is very important to investigate whether specific pediatric allocation schemes can not only lead to minimization of waiting time, but also to better clinical outcomes for children with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
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