LAUSR

Our aim was to evaluate the safety of transplanting kidneys from HCV‐infected donors in HCV‐uninfected recipients. Data collected from 53 recipients in a single center, observational study included donor and recipient characteristics, liver and kidney graft function, new infections and de novo donor‐specific antibodies and renal histology. Treatment with a direct‐acting antiviral regimen was initiated when HCV RNA was detected. The mean ± SD age of recipients was 53 ± 11 years, 34% were female, 19% and 79% of recipients were white and African American, respectively. The median and interquartile range (IQR) time between transplant and treatment initiation was 76 (IQR: 68‐88) days. All 53 recipients became viremic (genotype: 1a [N = 34], 1b [N = 1], 2 [N = 3], and 3 [N = 15]). The majority (81%) of recipients did not experience clinically significant increases (>3 times higher than upper limit of the normal value) in aminotransferase levels and their HCV RNA levels were in the 5 to 6 log range. One patient developed fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis with complete resolution. All recipients completed antiviral treatment and 100% were HCV RNA–negative and achieved 12‐week sustained virologic response. The estimated GFRs at end of treatment and 12‐week posttreatment were 67 ± 21 mL/min/1.73 m2 and 67 ± 17 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively. Four recipients developed acute rejection. Kidney transplantation from HCV‐infected donors to HCV‐negative recipients should be considered in all eligible patients.