In what could be the world’s first case, doctors in the United States have successfully transplanted a kidney from one HIV-positive patient to another; both the patients are doing well.
The surgery was done at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland.
Dr. Dorry Segev, one of the surgeons, said, “This is the first time someone living with HIV has been allowed to donate a kidney, ever, in the world.”
Previously, it was believed that HIV carried a greater risk factor for chronic kidney disease in the donor. However, new types of anti-retroviral drugs that are used to treat HIV are considered safe for the kidney.
“The operation ‘challenges … the public to see HIV differently,’ while also advancing medicine,” said Dr. Christine Durand, who is the associate professor of medicine and oncology at Johns Hopkins. She added, “The patients were incredibly grateful for this gift and now we just monitor for the long term outcomes.”
The surgery was performed on Monday.
35-year-old Nina Martinez was the donor from Atlanta. She said she was actually inspired to donate her kidney after watching an episode of Grey’s Anatomy, adding she was pretty excited to do so and be part of a medical first.
Nina said, “I knew that I was the one that they had been waiting for. For anyone considering embarking on this journey, it’s doable. I’ve just showed you how and I’m very excited to see who the first follow-on might be.”
However, the recipient chose to be anonymous. Dr. Durand said the recipient was doing beautifully.
Earlier this month, for the second time in the history of the global HIV epidemic, a UK-based patient is appeared to be cured of HIV after a stem cell transplant. In 2017, there were approximately 37 million people living with HIV/AIDS. The World Health Organization (WHO) still considers HIV as “one of the world’s most serious public health challenges.”
