The National Institutes of Health (NIH) issued criteria last week on research on possible organ transplants between HIV-positive patients.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) reports that antiretroviral treatments for HIV patients has improved to allow lifespans that are close to non-patients. The institute states that those with the condition can develop liver and kidney diseases late in life and can benefit from transplanted organs. A study sponsored by the NIAID indicates that results for HIV-positive organ recipients in terms of outcomes and survivability are similar to those transplant patients without the condition.
This study evaluated 275 cases involving kidney and liver transplants.
The HIV Organ Policy Equity Act allows research into organ transplants from HIV positive donors to recipients that are also positive. Should studies indicate that this would be a safe practice, it would allow for there to be more availability of viable organs for those that are in need of them over the entire population. This research would also inform the national Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network’s standards in order to address patients with HIV.
This research will take into consideration donor and recipient eligibility, hospital criteria and prevention of incidental HIV spread.
