Solid Organ Transplantation in HIV-infected Individuals

AIDS related morbidity and mortality in HIV infected patients continue to decrease as a result of the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy and prophylaxis for traditional opportunistic infections. HIV infected patients now harbor hope for a prolonged AIDS free survival. Despite these achievements, persons with HIV infection are at a significant risk for end-stage organ disease. For patients with end stage liver, heart and lung disease, solid organ transplantationSOT is the only available option, while renal replacement therapies (hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis) are an alternative to renal transplantation for patients with end-stage renal disease. Patients with HIV infection have generally been excluded from consideration for organ transplantation. However, in recent years, a considerable number of HIV infected patients has undergone SOT with encouraging results The aims of the study are: 1) to estimate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of HIV-infected patients with end stage liver disease receiving dialysis in Italy; 2) to evaluate medium and long term patient and graft survival and the impact on HIV progression of liver, kidney, kidney-pancreas, lung and heart transplantation in HIV-infected individuals in Italy; 3) to identify prognostic factors for bad outcome in HCV-HIV coinfected liver transplant recipients.