Single Center Experience of Kidney Transplants from Hepatitis C Virus Positive Donors into Negative Recipients

Authors

• Melissa Zdnawoski, Henry Ford Health
• Sana Soman, Henry Ford HealthFollow
• Aqsa Pervez, Henry Ford HealthFollow
• Rohini Prashar, Henry Ford HealthFollow

Recommended Citation

Zdnawoski M, Soman S, Pervez A, Prashar R. Single Center Experience of Kidney Transplants from Hepatitis C Virus Positive Donors into Negative Recipients. Am J Kidney Dis 2026; 87(5):S208.

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

5-1-2026

Publication Title

Am J Kidney Dis

Keywords

Urology & Nephrology

Abstract

Historically, HCV in kidney donors limited transplantation. With the advent of direct-acting antiviral therapy (DAAs) , organs from HCV positive donors (Ab or RNA positive) are now used in HCV-negative recipients. We present a single-center experience of kidney transplants from HCV-positive donors into HCV-negative recipients. We included 21 HCV negative recipients from HCV positive donors. HCV transmission, treatment and response, delayed graft function (DGF),kidney function, graft and patient survival at 1 year were studied retrospectively. Recipient characteristics are summarized in Table 1. Of 21 donors, 13 had positive HCV RNA, rest were Ab positive (RNA negative). No recipients of Ab positive donors developed HCV Viremia. 11/13 recipients of HCV RNA positive donors developed viremia. Most patients who developed viremia had Genotype 1a (7/11). Viremia was detected at a median of 7 days post-transplant. 2/11 patients had elevation in AST/ALT. All viremic patients received DAAs after viremia was detected. Median time from viremia detection to start of DAAs was 3 weeks. Insurance approval determined timing of DAA initiation.All patients achieved sustained viral remission at 12 weeks and maintained it at 24 weeks. 7/21 (33%) patients had DGF, and the median creatinine at 1 year posttransplant was 52 ml/min ( Range 23-98 ml/min).3 patients died within 1 year of transplant. Cause of death was unrelated to HCV (cardiac, sepsis, PE). One patient developed HCV 3 years post-transplant, and underwent a liver transplant. Use of kidneys from HCV+ donors for transplantation into HCV negative recipients, followed by DAA treatment, has favorable short term outcomes, with excellent response to antiviral treatment. Impact on long-term allograft survival and patient outcomes require further investigation.

Volume

87

Issue

5

First Page

S208