New Rule Allows HIV-Positive Individuals to Receive Organs from HIV-Positive Donors
Changes in Organ Transplantation Policy
US health officials announced a new rule on Tuesday, allowing people with HIV to receive kidney or liver transplants from donors who also have HIV. This change is expected to increase the pool of available organs and reduce wait times for all transplant recipients, regardless of their HIV status.
Background and Research
The use of HIV-positive donors for organ transplants is not a new concept. In 2010, surgeons in South Africa first demonstrated the safety of using HIV-positive donor organs in people with HIV. The US government lifted a ban on the practice in 2013, allowing research studies to proceed.
Recent Breakthroughs and Accomplishments
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine last month followed 198 organ recipients for up to four years, comparing those who received kidneys from HIV-positive donors to those from donors without HIV. The study found that both groups had similar high rates of overall survival and low rates of organ rejection.
In 2019, a team at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore performed the world’s first kidney transplant from a living donor with HIV to an HIV-positive recipient.
Impact and Expectations
The new rule is expected to increase the pool of available organs and reduce wait times for all transplant recipients, regardless of their HIV status. According to Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, "This rule removes unnecessary barriers to kidney and liver transplants, expanding the organ donor pool and improving outcomes for transplant recipients with HIV."
Conclusion
The new rule marks a significant step forward in organ transplantation policy, opening up new possibilities for people with HIV who require kidney or liver transplants. With the support of research and the success of previous studies, this change is expected to improve outcomes for all transplant recipients.
FAQs
Q: What is the current policy on organ transplantation for people with HIV?
A: The current policy allows organ transplants to be done only as part of research studies.
Q: How many organ transplants have been performed using HIV-positive donors?
A: Over 500 transplants of kidneys and livers from HIV-positive donors have been performed in the US.
Q: What are the expected benefits of this new rule?
A: The new rule is expected to increase the pool of available organs and reduce wait times for all transplant recipients, regardless of their HIV status.
Q: What is the current status of the study published in the New England Journal of Medicine?
A: The study, which followed 198 organ recipients for up to four years, found that both groups had similar high rates of overall survival and low rates of organ rejection.
