Article
Immunology
Claudio Ponticelli, Mariarosaria Campise
Summary: Uraemic condition, immunosuppressive medications, and dialysis may impair the immune response to vaccines in kidney transplant candidates and recipients, increasing the risk of infection. Further research and adjustment of anti-COVID-19 vaccine strategies for these patients are needed.
Article
Virology
Patrick Affeldt, Felix Carlo Koehler, Karl August Brensing, Martin Gies, Eva Platen, Vivien Adam, Linus Butt, Franziska Grundmann, Eva Heger, Steffen Hinrichs, Nils Kalisch, Simon Oehm, Gertrud Steger, Maike Wirtz, Thomas Benzing, Dirk Stippel, Florian Klein, Christine Kurschat, Roman-Ulrich Mueller, Veronica Di Cristanziano
Summary: This study investigated the immune response to a third or fourth dose of mRNA vaccine in dialysis and kidney transplant patients. It found that patients with impaired immune function had a poorer immune response to the vaccine, especially against the new omicron variants. Modified vaccines targeting the omicron variant are needed.
Article
Immunology
Sarah R. MacEwan, Alice A. Gaughan, Graham N. Dixon, Ramona G. Olvera, Willi L. Tarver, Saurabh Rahurkar, Laura J. Rush, Austin D. Schenk, Jack Stevens, Ann Scheck McAlearney
Summary: This study aimed to improve our understanding of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on kidney transplant recipients, including their views on COVID-19 vaccination. Through semi-structured interviews with 38 kidney transplant recipients, it was found that most interviewees utilized public health measures to protect themselves against COVID-19, and the decision to receive or not receive the vaccine was influenced by different concerns and experiences. These findings highlight the unique needs of transplant recipients and reveal opportunities to support their health.
Article
Immunology
Nina Koerber, Christopher Holzmann-Littig, Gesa Wilkens, Bo-Hung Liao, Maia L. Werz, Louise Platen, Cho-Chin Cheng, Myriam Tellenbach, Verena Kappler, Viktor Lehner, Hrvoje Mijocevic, Catharina Christa, Volker Assfalg, Uwe Heemann, Christoph Schmaderer, Ulrike Protzer, Matthias C. Braunisch, Tanja Bauer, Lutz Renders
Summary: This study compared the immune response and breakthrough infection rates in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) who received homologous and heterologous COVID-19 vaccination regimens. The results showed that both cellular and humoral immune responses were enhanced in all recipients after the third vaccination. The rate of neutralizing antibody positivity was significantly higher in the heterologously vaccinated group, but the titers were similar between both groups. The breakthrough infection rates were comparable between the homologously and heterologously vaccinated groups. Therefore, a comprehensive assessment of cellular and humoral immunity is important for understanding the immune response to COVID-19 vaccines in a transplant setting.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Marika Watanabe, Kimikazu Yakushijin, Yohei Funakoshi, Goh Ohji, Hiroya Ichikawa, Hironori Sakai, Wataru Hojo, Miki Saeki, Yuri Hirakawa, Sakuya Matsumoto, Rina Sakai, Shigeki Nagao, Akihito Kitao, Yoshiharu Miyata, Taiji Koyama, Yasuyuki Saito, Shinichiro Kawamoto, Katsuya Yamamoto, Mitsuhiro Ito, Tohru Murayama, Hiroshi Matsuoka, Hironobu Minami
Summary: In allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation patients, a third dose of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine, including BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273, was safe and effective, with majority of patients seroconverting after the third dose without serious adverse events or exacerbation of GVHD.
Article
Immunology
Andrea Costantino, Letizia Morlacchi, Maria Francesca Donato, Andrea Gramegna, Elisa Farina, Clara Dibenedetto, Mariarosaria Campise, Matteo Redaelli, Marta Perego, Carlo Alfieri, Francesco Blasi, Pietro Lampertico, Evaldo Favi
Summary: COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy exists among solid organ transplant recipients, with concerns about adverse events and perceived lack of efficacy being the main reasons. Establishing appropriate and targeted patient-doctor communication strategies, as well as implementing specific vaccination campaigns, is crucial to reduce COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality.
Article
Immunology
Stamatia Stai, Asimina Fylaktou, Efstratios Kasimatis, Aliki Xochelli, Georgios Lioulios, Vasiliki Nikolaidou, Anastasia Papadopoulou, Grigorios Myserlis, Artemis Maria Iosifidou, Myrto Aikaterini Iosifidou, Aikaterini Papagianni, Evangelia Yannaki, Georgios Tsoulfas, Maria Stangou
Summary: By observing the immune cell changes after Tozinameran vaccination in kidney transplant recipients, we found distinct differences in the initial immune cell status and cellular subpopulation composition between responders and non-responders to the third dose of the vaccine.
Review
Immunology
Yebei Li, Meiying Rao, Gaosi Xu
Summary: The emergence of acute kidney disease (AKD) following COVID-19 vaccination has raised concerns. This review summarizes hypotheses and pathogenesis of AKD caused by COVID-19 vaccines, aiming to assist clinical assessment and management of this condition.
Article
Surgery
Qingyong Xu, Puneet Sood, Dennis Helmick, Jon S. Lomago, Amit D. Tevar, Adriana Zeevi
Summary: This case study reports a patient awaiting a second kidney transplantation who tested positive for B cell flow cytometry crossmatch 37 days after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. The emergence of antibodies to HLA-DR7 following vaccination highlights the potential impact of COVID-19 immunization on alloimmunity among transplant candidates. Utilizing multiple assays and history of allo-sensitization is crucial in assessing immunological risks associated with organ transplantation.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Georg M. N. Behrens, Joana Barros-Martins, Anne Cossmann, Gema Morillas Ramos, Metodi Stankov, Ivan Odak, Alexandra Dopfer-Jablonka, Laura Hetzel, Miriam Koehler, Gwendolyn Patzer, Christoph Binz, Christiane Ritter, Michaela Friedrichsen, Christian Schultze-Florey, Inga Ravens, Stefanie Willenzon, Anja Bubke, Jasmin Ristenpart, Anika Janssen, George Ssebyatika, Verena Kraehling, Guenter Bernhardt, Markus Hoffmann, Stefan Poehlmann, Thomas Krey, Berislav Bosnjak, Swantje Hammerschmidt, Reinhold Foerster
Summary: Heterologous prime/boost vaccination with a vector-based approach followed by an mRNA vaccine has been found to induce better protective immunity compared to homologous vaccination. A third vaccine dose enhances the waning anti-spike IgG and restores neutralizing antibody responses against several variants of the virus, except for the Omicron variant.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Leyla Sharifi Aliabadi, Manoochehr Karami, Maryam Barkhordar, Seyed Saeed Hashemi Nazari, Amir Kavousi, Mohammad Ahmadvand, Mohammad Vaezi
Summary: This study aimed to explore COVID-19 vaccination strategies in patients undergoing HSCT to optimize vaccine efficacy. The findings revealed that heterologous vaccination with a different vaccine can significantly enhance immune response compared to homologous vaccination, but it also comes with more adverse events.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Junfeng Zhang, Jiajia Cao, Qing Ye
Summary: New-onset and relapsed kidney diseases have been reported after COVID-19 vaccination, with minimal change disease, IgA nephropathy, antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody vasculitis, and acute interstitial nephritis being the most frequent renal side effects. However, most patients responded well to treatment, indicating that the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination outweigh the risks. Healthcare professionals, especially nephrologists, need to be aware of these side effects and treat them promptly.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Chenchit Chayachinda, Kanokwaroon Watananirun, Chayawat Phatihattakorn, Sanitra Anuwutnavin, Suvimol Niyomnaitham, Wanatpreeya Phongsamart, Keswadee Lapphra, Orasri Wittawatmongkol, Supattra Rungmaitree, Laddawan Jansarikit, Kobporn Boonnak, Patimaporn Wongprompitak, Sansnee Senawong, Avishek Upadhya, Zheng Quan Toh, Paul V. V. Licciardi, Kulkanya Chokephaibulkit
Summary: This trial evaluated the immunogenicity and reactogenicity of different COVID-19 vaccination schedules in pregnant Thai women. Heterologous schedules of CoronaVac-BNT162b2 or ChAdOx1-BNT162b2 showed similar immunogenicity to BNT162b2-BNT162b2. Neutralizing antibody levels were highest in the CoronaVac-BNT162b2 group. No significant difference in cord blood antibody levels between groups were observed. Local and systemic adverse events were mild-to-moderate and more frequent in the ChAdOx1-BNT162b2 group.
HUMAN VACCINES & IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Yuxuan Hu, Yanning Wang, Taihang Shao, Wenxi Tang, Kerong Hu, Yujie Zhou, Liyun Miao, Jing Liu, Bin Wang, Wenying Yu
Summary: This study systematically assessed the safety and immunogenicity of heterologous ChAd/BNT vaccination regimens. The results showed that compared to homologous ChAd/ChAd vaccination, heterologous ChAd/BNT vaccination exhibited significantly higher immunogenicity, but also higher incidence of total adverse reactions, especially local adverse reactions. Additionally, heterologous ChAd/BNT vaccination showed similar immunogenicity and safety to homologous BNT/BNT vaccination.
Article
Surgery
Isabelle Nel, Cyrielle Parmentier, Laurene Dehoux, Marine Minier, Charlotte Duneton, Marina Charbit, Veronique Baudouin, Philippe Bidet, Agnes Carol, Elodie Cheyssac, Jean-Daniel Delbet, Valerie Guerin-El Khourouj, Ferielle Louillet, Tim Ulinski, Constance Delaugerre, Guislaine Carcelain, Julien Hogan
Summary: In this retrospective cohort study, the early humoral and cellular response to mRNA vaccine BNT162b2 against different variants of COVID-19 was analyzed in 64 adolescent KTx recipients. Most children without a history of infection showed a positive humoral response after 2 doses, while those with a history of infection had higher IgG levels. Non-responders after 2 doses had a higher response rate after a third dose, but neutralizing activity against variants did not improve.
TRANSPLANT INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Anita Borski, Farsad Eskandary, Susanne Haindl, Konstantin Doberer, Jakob Muehlbacher, Katharina A. Mayer, Klemens Budde, Philip F. Halloran, Edward Chong, Bernd Jilma, Georg A. Boehmig, Markus Wahrmann
Summary: Our study suggests that prolonged IL-6 neutralization with clazakizumab does not lead to clinically significant rebound phenomena or modulation of major components of the IL-6/IL-6R axis.
Review
Medical Laboratory Technology
Florian Lemaitre, Klemens Budde, Teun Van Gelder, Stein Bergan, Roland Lawson, Ofelia Noceti, Raman Venkataramanan, Laure Elens, Dirk Jan A. R. Moes, Dennis A. Hesselink, Tomasz Pawinski, Kamisha L. Johnson-Davis, Brenda C. M. De Winter, Smita Pattanaik, Merce Brunet, Satohiro Masuda, Loralie J. Langman
Summary: Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid) is a combination of a peptidomimetic inhibitor (nirmatrelvir) and a pharmacokinetic enhancer (ritonavir) that is approved for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19. The ritonavir component of this combination can cause significant drug-drug interactions (DDIs) by inhibiting the metabolism of nirmatrelvir. This may lead to higher plasma concentrations of nirmatrelvir and a longer half-life. Co-administration of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir with immunosuppressive drugs (ISDs) is particularly challenging due to the involvement of the same metabolic pathway and the increased risk of adverse drug reactions.
THERAPEUTIC DRUG MONITORING
(2023)
Review
Medical Laboratory Technology
Michael Oellerich, Klemens Budde, Bilgin Osmanodja, Kirsten Bornemann-Kolatzki, Julia Beck, Ekkehard Schuetz, Philip D. Walson
Summary: Biomarker dd-cfDNA is a viable method for monitoring graft injury and rejection in solid organ transplantation. It provides early detection of rejection episodes and reflects the severity of graft injury. Absolute quantification of dd-cfDNA overcomes the limitations of false-positive or false-negative results caused by recipient cfDNA changes. Dd-cfDNA complements histological findings and helps in avoiding unnecessary biopsies.
THERAPEUTIC DRUG MONITORING
(2023)
Editorial Material
Medicine, General & Internal
Klemens Budde, Fabian Halleck
Article
Transplantation
Manuel Mayrdorfer, Lutz Liefeldt, Bilgin Osmanodja, Marcel G. Naik, Danilo Schmidt, Wiebke Duettmann, Charlotte Hammett, Eva Schrezenmeier, Frank Friedersdorff, Kaiyin Wu, Fabian Halleck, Klemens Budde
Summary: This study analyzed 1477 adult kidney transplants and found that cardiovascular disease, malignancy, and infections were the most common causes of death. The study also discovered that there were many shared causes between death with a functioning graft and death-censored graft failure.
NEPHROLOGY DIALYSIS TRANSPLANTATION
(2023)
Review
Transplantation
Gregory J. Wilson, Kim Van, Emma O'Lone, Allison Tong, Jonathan C. Craig, Benedicte Sautenet, Klemens Budde, Derek Forfang, John Gill, William G. Herrington, Tazeen H. Jafar, David W. Johnson, Vera Krane, Adeera Levin, Jolanta Malyszko, Patrick Rossignol, Deirdre Sawinski, Nicole Scholes-Robertons, Giovanni Strippoli, Angela Wang, Wolfgang C. Winkelmayer, Carmel M. Hawley, Andrea K. Viecelli
Summary: This study aimed to assess the range and consistency of cardiovascular outcomes reported by contemporary trials in kidney transplant recipients, revealing substantial heterogeneity in cardiovascular outcome reporting.
TRANSPLANTATION DIRECT
(2023)
Editorial Material
Surgery
Klemens Budde, Bruce Kaplan
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION
(2023)
Editorial Material
Surgery
Flavio Vincenti, Klemens Budde, Josep Grinyo, Lionel Rostaing, Allan D. Kirk, Christian P. Larsen
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Francois R. Girardin, Anna Nicolet, Oriol Bestard, Carmen Lefaucheur, Klemens Budde, Fabian Halleck, Sophie Brouard, Magali Giral, Pierre-Antoine Gourraud, Beatrice Horcholle, Jean Villard, Joachim Marti, Alexandre Loupy
Summary: This multi-center cohort study investigated the quality of life (QoL) of kidney transplant recipients during the first year after transplantation. Using EQ-5D and VAS data as measures, the study found that patients who maintained standard-of-care therapy had better QoL compared to those who switched therapies. These findings provide important insights for assessing the QoL of kidney transplant recipients.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Rebecca Kaatz, Elisabetta Latartara, Friederike Bachmann, Nils Lachmann, Nadine Koch, Bianca Zukunft, Kaiyin Wu, Danilo Schmidt, Fabian Halleck, Peter Nickel, Kai-Uwe Eckardt, Klemens Budde, Stefan Verlohren, Mira Choi
Summary: Women of childbearing age who have undergone kidney transplantation experience increased fertility, but are at risk for complications such as preeclampsia, preterm delivery, and allograft dysfunction. A retrospective study was conducted on 40 women who had post-transplant pregnancies between 2003 and 2019. The study found that the pregnancies had good outcomes for both the mothers and the transplanted kidneys, although there were declines in kidney function. Adverse pregnancy events, such as preeclampsia with severe end-organ dysfunction, were associated with impaired hyperfiltration during pregnancy and a decline in renal function. The frequency of de novo donor-specific antibodies did not increase after delivery.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Bilgin Osmanodja, Aylin Akifova, Michael Oellerich, Julia Beck, Kirsten Bornemann-Kolatzki, Ekkehard Schuetz, Klemens Budde
Summary: Donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) is used as a biomarker for detection of graft injury and guidance of immunosuppressive therapy. A study on 22 kidney transplant recipients found that the conversion to belatacept led to an increase in absolute dd-cfDNA levels. Rating: 7 out of 10.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Eva Wu, Nadine Koch, Friederike Bachmann, Marten Schulz, Evelyn Seelow, Ulrike Weber, Johannes Waiser, Fabian Halleck, Mirko Faber, Claus-Thomas Bock, Kai-Uwe Eckardt, Klemens Budde, Joerg Hofmann, Peter Nickel, Mira Choi
Summary: There is a significant risk of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in kidney and combined kidney transplant recipients, especially those who receive intense immunosuppression. Some patients achieve remission without further treatment, while others require retreatment or cannot clear the virus. HEV infection is associated with the consumption of undercooked pork or pork products.
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Ronald D. Perrone, Dorothee Oberdhan, John Ouyang, Daniel G. Bichet, Klemens Budde, Arlene B. Chapman, Berenice Y. Gitomer, Shigeo Horie, Albert C. M. Ong, Vicente E. Torres, A. Neil Turner, Holly Krasa
Summary: This observational study provides insights into the burden of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) and highlights the predictive value of kidney volume for outcomes other than kidney function.
KIDNEY INTERNATIONAL REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Hongfan Zhao, Dashan Wu, Michael Adu Gyamfi, Pinchao Wang, Christian Luecht, Anna Maria Pfefferkorn, Muhammad Imtiaz Ashraf, Julian Kamhieh-Milz, Janusz Witowski, Duska Dragun, Klemens Budde, Ralf Schindler, Daniel Zickler, Guido Moll, Rusan Catar
Summary: Expanded hemodialysis therapy with improved molecular cut-off dialyzers has beneficial effects in reducing uremia-associated chronic systemic microinflammation, which is a driver of endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular disease in hemodialysis patients. The transcription factor KLF2 and its associated molecular signaling pathways are identified as key targets and regulators in uremia-induced endothelial microinflammation.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Petra Hruba, Jiri Klema, Anh Vu Le, Eva Girmanova, Petra Mrazova, Annick Massart, Dita Maixnerova, Ludek Voska, Gian Benedetto Piredda, Luigi Biancone, Ana Ramirez Puga, Nurhan Seyahi, Mehmet Sukru Sever, Laurent Weekers, Anja Muhfeld, Klemens Budde, Bruno Watschinger, Marius Miglinas, Ivan Zahradka, Marc Abramowicz, Daniel Abramowicz, Ondrej Viklicky
Summary: This study used RNA sequencing to identify transcripts that can distinguish operational tolerance from chronic active antibody-mediated rejection, leading to the construction of models for predicting kidney allograft loss.