ATC Abstracts

American Transplant Congress abstracts

  • Home
  • Meetings Archive
    • 2020 American Transplant Congress
    • 2019 American Transplant Congress
    • 2018 American Transplant Congress
    • 2017 American Transplant Congress
    • 2016 American Transplant Congress
    • 2015 American Transplant Congress
    • 2013 American Transplant Congress
  • Keyword Index
  • Resources
    • 2016 Resources
      • 2016 Welcome Letter
      • ATC 2016 Program Planning Committees
      • ASTS Council 2015-2016
      • AST Board of Directors 2015-2016
    • 2015 Resources
      • 2015 Welcome Letter
      • ATC 2015 Program Planning Committees
      • ASTS Council 2014-2015
      • AST Board of Directors 2014-2015
      • 2015 Conference Schedule
  • Advanced Search

West Nile Virus Encephalitis in Kidney Transplant Recipients

F. Aziz, C. Saddler, M. Jorgenson, S. Parajuli, J. Smith, D. Mandelbrot

University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI

Meeting: 2020 American Transplant Congress

Abstract number: B-178

Keywords: Infection, Kidney transplantation, Outcome

Session Information

Date: Saturday, May 30, 2020

Session Name: Poster Session B: All Infections (Excluding Kidney & Viral Hepatitis)

Session Time: 3:15pm-4:00pm

 Presentation Time: 3:30pm-4:00pm

Location: Virtual

Related Abstracts
  • Screening for West Nile Virus in California: Resolving IgM Anti-WNV in the Area With Dengue Seroprevalence
  • West Nile Virus (WNV) Epidemic during 2012 in the Western United States: High Number of IgM Anti-WNV Reactives but No WNV RNA+ Organ Donors

*Purpose: West Nile viral encephalitis is uncommon but can lead to permanent neurological damage. Transplant related West Nile viral disease has been described before; however, data in kidney transplant recipients is limited.

*Methods: A retrospective chart review of all the patients at our institution with a history of kidney transplant and West Nile virus diagnosis between 1994 – 2018 was performed.

*Results: During the 23-year study period, 11 patients had documented West-Nile virus infection. Seven patients had kidney alone transplant, and four had simultaneous kidney and pancreas transplant. The mean age at time of transplant was 44.7 ± 17.1 years. Induction agents included Alemtuzumab (n = 2), OKT3 (n = 1) and anti-thymocyte globulin (n = 8). Three patients were treated for rejection within six months before the infection. The mean time from the transplant to the West Nile viral infection was 3.4 ± 5.4 years. The most common presentation was altered mental status (n = 7), followed by headaches with fevers (n = 4). All the patients had West Nile virus IgM antibodies in serum at the time of diagnosis. Only two patients received weekly IVIG as part of their treatment; all patients had a reduction in their immunosuppression. Nine patients recovered with no residual deficit; two suffered permanent neurological damage. The mean eGFR drop at one year after infection was 8.4 ± 13 ml/min/1.73 m2 (mean eGFR at time of infection was 59.5 ± 16 ml/min/1.73 m2 and one year after infection was 46.4 ± 27 ml/min/1.73 m2). Two patients suffered acute rejection within one year after the infection episode due to reduction in immunosuppression. The mean follow up after infection was 5.1 ± 4.3. By the last follow-up, two patients lost their kidney allograft, and five patients died. None of the graft losses or deaths occurred within a year of the West Nile infection.

*Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest case-series of West Nile virus infection in kidney transplant recipients. The role of IVIG in these cases is poorly defined, but the majority of patients recovered fully just with conservative management. Kidney complications were not common but a gradual decline in eGFR at one year after infection is noted.

  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print

To cite this abstract in AMA style:

Aziz F, Saddler C, Jorgenson M, Parajuli S, Smith J, Mandelbrot D. West Nile Virus Encephalitis in Kidney Transplant Recipients [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2020; 20 (suppl 3). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/west-nile-virus-encephalitis-in-kidney-transplant-recipients/. Accessed February 27, 2021.

« Back to 2020 American Transplant Congress

Most Viewed Abstracts

  • This Week
  • This Month
  • All Time
  • A Decade of Donor-Derived Disease: A Report of the OPTN Ad Hoc Disease Transmission Advisory Committee (DTAC).
  • Low GFR after Kidney Donation Is Not Chronic Kidney Disease
  • Subtherapeutic Low Tacrolimus Trough Levels (≤3.5 Ng /ml) Are A Risk Factor For Acute Rejection And Creatinine Doubling.
  • Is There a Difference Between DCD and DBD Kidney Transplantation with Similar KDPI?
  • Kidney Dialysis after Heart Transplantation: The Short and Long Term Outcomes
  • Low GFR after Kidney Donation Is Not Chronic Kidney Disease
  • Subtherapeutic Low Tacrolimus Trough Levels (≤3.5 Ng /ml) Are A Risk Factor For Acute Rejection And Creatinine Doubling.
  • Penis Transplantation: First U.S. Experience.
  • A Decade of Donor-Derived Disease: A Report of the OPTN Ad Hoc Disease Transmission Advisory Committee (DTAC).
  • Is There a Difference Between DCD and DBD Kidney Transplantation with Similar KDPI?
  • Penis Transplantation: First U.S. Experience.
  • Is There a Difference Between DCD and DBD Kidney Transplantation with Similar KDPI?
  • Low GFR after Kidney Donation Is Not Chronic Kidney Disease
  • Evidence of a Clinically Significant Drug-Drug Interaction between Cannabidiol and Tacrolimus: A Case Report
  • Kidney Dialysis after Heart Transplantation: The Short and Long Term Outcomes

Visit Our Partner Sites

American Transplant Congress (ATC)

Visit the official site for the American Transplant Congress »

American Journal of Transplantation

The official publication for the American Society of Transplantation (AST) and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS) »

American Society of Transplantation (AST)

An organization of more than 3000 professionals dedicated to advancing the field of transplantation. »

American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS)

The society represents approximately 1,800 professionals dedicated to excellence in transplantation surgery. »

Copyright © 2013-2021 by American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons. All rights reserved.

Privacy Policy

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
This site uses cookies: Find out more.