Late onset cytomegalovirus in lung transplant recipients: Can cmv serostatus guide the duration of prophylaxis? Source: American Journal of Transplantation (subscription required) Evidence supports the use of 12 months of cytomegalovirus prophylaxis in all at-risk lung transplants; whether cytomegalovirus serostatus can be used to further optimize this duration remains to be determined. The purpose of a recent retrospective study was to determine if cytomegalovirus serostatus of both donor and recipient were associated with late-onset cytomegalovirus.... Read More...

Yesterday, Congressional leaders introduced legislation to end the research ban on organ donation from HIV-Positive donors to HIV-Positive transplant recipients. The HIV Organ Policy Equity (HOPE) Act would create a potential path for HIV-positive organs to be donated to HIV-positive patients, thus potentially saving the lives of transplant patients languishing on waiting lists. Congresswoman Lois Capps (D-CA) and Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Tom Coburn (R-OK), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Rand Paul (R-KY) introduced the legislation, which charges the Department of Health and Human Services (... Read More...

Registry analysis: Inferior early posttransplant outcomes for recipients of right versus left deceased donor kidneys Source: American Journal of Transplantation (subscription required) Anatomical differences between right and left kidneys could influence transplant outcome. Receipt of a right kidney is a risk factor for inferior outcomes in the first year after transplantation. A higher incidence of surgical complications suggests the shorter right renal vein may be contributory. The higher susceptibility of right kidneys to injury should be considered in organ allocation.... Read More...