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Low Prevalence of Glomerulonephritis Found in Transplanted Kidneys from Deceased Donors with Active Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Research has shown that the prevalence of glomerulonephritis in transplanted kidneys from deceased donors with active hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is significantly lower than previously thought. According to a new study published in Kidney International, the prevalence of glomerulonephritis in HCV-RNA donor kidneys is rare, with only 15% of patients experiencing glomerulosclerosis, interstitial fibrosis with tubular atrophy, or vascular disease. This is compared to 49% of patients with HCV-negative donor kidneys.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study, conducted by researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, analyzed the histological database of deceased donor biopsies from 147 transplanted kidneys from HCV-RNA donors matched to 431 HCV-negative donors.
  • The mean age of the HCV-RNA donors was 40.3 years, compared to 40.7 years for the HCV-negative donors.
  • Expert pathology reviews showed that glomerular disease and isolated immune complex deposition were rare in both groups.
  • The primary outcome of glomerulosclerosis, interstitial fibrosis with tubular atrophy, and/or vascular disease was non-inferior for HCV-RNA versus HCV-negative donor kidneys.
  • Specifically, 61.2% of HCV-RNA donors had under 5% glomerulosclerosis, compared to 49% of HCV-negative donors.
  • The recipients of kidney transplants from HCV-RNA donors and HCV-negative comparators both demonstrated good graft function, with a 12-month eGFR that was not significantly different between groups.

Statistics:

  • 147 transplanted kidneys from HCV-RNA donors were analyzed in the study.
  • These kidneys were matched to 431 HCV-negative donors.
  • The prevalence of glomerulonephritis in HCV-RNA donor kidneys was 15%.
  • The prevalence of glomerulonephritis in HCV-negative donor kidneys was 49%.
  • 61.2% of HCV-RNA donors had under 5% glomerulosclerosis.
  • 68% of HCV-RNA donors had under 5% interstitial fibrosis with tubular atrophy.
  • 46% of HCV-RNA donors had no vascular disease.

Sources:

  • "Low prevalence of glomerulonephritis in transplanted kidneys from deceased donors with active hepatitis C virus infection." Kidney International, 2025.
  • Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
  • Kidney International, published by Elsevier Science Inc.

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