Single dose thymoglobulin induction therapy in prevention of acute rejection in renal transplant recipients

Abstract

Introduction: The goal of induction therapy in developing countries should be prevention of acute rejection with access to immunosuppressive therapy on a cost-effective basis for maintaining allograft function. Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of acute rejection in the post-transplant period, on induction using single low dose thymoglobulin. Patients and Methods: We conducted a prospective study of 98 renal transplant recipients to see the effectiveness of single dose induction therapy with thymoglobulin. Results: The incidence of biopsy proven acute cellular rejection (ACR) was 8.16% in patients receiving thymoglobulin. The incidence of infection was 24.49%. We found a significant lymphocyte depletion in the immediate post-transplant period in thymoglobulin patients, with a mean of 500/µL in our cohort, for 4 to 10 post-operative days. Conclusion: This prospective study favours the administration of low single dose thymoglobulin as an effective induction agent with low rejection rates and cost effectiveness in resource poor settings.

Keywords

• Single dose thymoglobulin
• Acute cellular rejection
• Infection
• Renal transplantation