Highlights• HIV infection occurred in 68% of the HIV-positive transplant recipients’ new kidneys even in the absence of any detectable HIV in their blood.• A new urine test can detect these infections and lead to better diagnosis and treatment.

Newswise — Washington, DC (December 5, 2013) — HIV can infect transplanted kidneys in HIV-positive recipients even in the absence of detectable virus in the blood, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN). The study’s investigators also developed a simple urine test to diagnose such infections.

HIV is a common cause of kidney failure, and because of this, approximately 900 HIV-infected patients start dialysis each year in the United States. Kidney transplantation has recently become a therapeutic option for these patients, and the survival rate of HIV-infected transplant recipients with undetectable HIV in the blood is similar to that of non-HIV-infected transplant recipients. For unknown reasons, however, organ rejection is more common in HIV-infected transplant recipients.

To investigate this issue, Guillaume Canaud, MD, PhD (Necker Hospital, in Paris, France) and his colleagues assessed all 19 of HIV-positive patients in their center who received kidney transplants between June 1, 2006, and October 31, 2011. Genetic analyses demonstrated that HIV infection occurred in 68% of the HIV-positive recipients’ new organs even in the absence of any detectable HIV in their blood.

Biopsy experiments revealed two different forms of infection. In the first case, podocyte cells—which constitute the barrier through which blood is filtered in the kidneys—are the main target of HIV, and infection is associated with certain clinical signs of kidney dysfunction. In the second case, HIV infects tubular cells within the kidney, with fewer clinical manifestations.

The researchers also developed a new and simple urine test to detect HIV infection in the kidneys, which could be a promising non-invasive method for diagnosing problems in HIV-positive transplant recipients.

“This study is going to change the way of thinking of nephrologists and will certainly modify the approach of kidney transplantation in HIV patients, giving new hope to patients,” said Dr. Canaud.

According to an accompanying editorial by Peter Stock, MD (University of California, San Francisco), the noninvasive urine test that detects early HIV-1 infection will help clinicians identify donor and recipient factors associated with recurrent HIV kidney disease. “It is less clear what intervention may control the reinfection, although identification of donor and/or recipient factors associated with early reinfection may provide some clues,” he wrote.

Study co-authors include Nathalie Dejucq-Rainsford PhD, Véronique Avettand-Fenoël MD, PhD, Jean-Paul Viard, MD, Dany Anglicheau MD, PhD, Frank Bienaimé MD, PhD, Mordi Muorah, MD, Louise Galmiche MD, PhD, Olivier Gribouval, Laure-Helene Noël, MD, Anne-Pascale Satie, Frank Martinez, MD, Rebecca Sberro-Soussan, MD, Anne Scemla, MD, Marie-Claire Gubler, MD, Gérard Friedlander MD, PhD, Corinne Antignac, MD, PhD, Marc-Olivier Timsit MD, PhD, Andrea Onetti Muda, MD, Fabiola Terzi MD, PhD, Christine Rouzioux MD, PhD, and Christophe Legendre, MD.

Disclosures: The authors reported no financial disclosures.

The article, entitled “The Kidney as a Reservoir for HIV-1 After Renal Transplantation,” will appear online at http://jasn.asnjournals.org/ on December 5, 2013, doi: 10.1681/ASN.2013050564.

The editorial, entitled “Kidney Infection with HIV-1 Following Kidney Transplantation,” will appear online at http://jasn.asnjournals.org/ on December 5, 2013, doi: 10.1681/ASN.2013101112.The content of this article does not reflect the views or opinions of The American Society of Nephrology (ASN). Responsibility for the information and views expressed therein lies entirely with the author(s). ASN does not offer medical advice. All content in ASN publications is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions, or adverse effects. This content should not be used during a medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health care provider if you have any questions about a medical condition, or before taking any drug, changing your diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment. Do not ignore or delay obtaining professional medical advice because of information accessed through ASN. Call 911 or your doctor for all medical emergencies.Founded in 1966, and with more than 14,000 members, the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) leads the fight against kidney disease by educating health professionals, sharing new knowledge, advancing research, and advocating the highest quality care for patients.

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