2024
Is PET the Best Screening Tool for Cardiac Assessment Prior to Renal Transplant?
Sinusas A, Asch W. Is PET the Best Screening Tool for Cardiac Assessment Prior to Renal Transplant? Circulation Cardiovascular Imaging 2024, 17: e016408. PMID: 38227693, DOI: 10.1161/circimaging.123.016408.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2022
Blood Transcriptomes of SARS-CoV-2–Infected Kidney Transplant Recipients Associated with Immune Insufficiency Proportionate to Severity
Sun Z, Zhang Z, Banu K, Al Azzi Y, Reghuvaran A, Fredericks S, Planoutene M, Hartzell S, Kim Y, Pell J, Tietjen G, Asch W, Kulkarni S, Formica R, Rana M, Maltzman JS, Zhang W, Akalin E, Heeger PS, Cravedi P, Menon MC. Blood Transcriptomes of SARS-CoV-2–Infected Kidney Transplant Recipients Associated with Immune Insufficiency Proportionate to Severity. Journal Of The American Society Of Nephrology 2022, 33: 2108-2122. PMID: 36041788, PMCID: PMC9678030, DOI: 10.1681/asn.2022010125.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAcute DiseaseCOVID-19CytokinesHumansImmunosuppressive AgentsKidney TransplantationRNASARS-CoV-2TranscriptomeTransplant RecipientsConceptsKidney transplant recipientsImmune activation pathwaysImmunosuppressant useKTR cohortAcute illnessBlood transcriptomeAcute casesT cellsCOVID-19Most kidney transplant recipientsPost-acute COVID-19Adaptive immune system activationManagement of immunosuppressionReinstitution of immunosuppressionAcute COVID-19Serum inflammatory cytokinesCOVID-19 severity scoreCOVID-19 infectionImmune system activationUpregulation of neutrophilActivation pathwayTransplant recipientsChart reviewImmune signaturesLymphocyte count
2021
Genetic and Epidemiologic Analyses of an Outbreak of Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia Among Kidney Transplant Recipients in the United States
Azar MM, Cohen E, Ma L, Cissé OH, Gan G, Deng Y, Belfield K, Asch W, Grant M, Gleeson S, Koff A, Gaston DC, Topal J, Curran S, Kulkarni S, Kovacs JA, Malinis M. Genetic and Epidemiologic Analyses of an Outbreak of Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia Among Kidney Transplant Recipients in the United States. Clinical Infectious Diseases 2021, 74: 639-647. PMID: 34017984, PMCID: PMC9012955, DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciab474.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsDisease OutbreaksHumansKidney TransplantationMultilocus Sequence TypingPneumocystis cariniiPneumonia, PneumocystisTransplant RecipientsUnited StatesConceptsKidney transplant recipientsCases of PCPPneumocystis pneumoniaClinic visitsRisk factorsClinic exposureLow absolute lymphocyte countRisk of PCPAbsolute lymphocyte countFrequent clinic visitsPneumocystis jirovecii pneumoniaStrong risk factorNon-white raceCase-control analysisBelatacept groupMonthly infusionsTransplant recipientsBaseline characteristicsJirovecii pneumoniaLymphocyte countMultilocus sequence typingInterhuman transmissionRespiratory specimensUnivariate analysisEpidemiologic dataImpact of Low-Dose Fluconazole on Tacrolimus Dosing in Renal Transplant
Johnston JP, Cohen EA, Casal GH, Asch WS, Reardon DP. Impact of Low-Dose Fluconazole on Tacrolimus Dosing in Renal Transplant. Journal Of Pharmacy Practice 2021, 35: 701-706. PMID: 33759619, DOI: 10.1177/08971900211000702.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLow-dose fluconazoleRenal transplant patientsAdverse drug reactionsTAC levelsTransplant patientsGraft rejectionDrug reactionsTherapeutic levelsSingle-center retrospective chart reviewPost-operative day 10Azole antifungal therapySubtherapeutic tacrolimus levelsTAC dose adjustmentRenal transplant recipientsTotal daily doseRetrospective chart reviewTacrolimus dosingTacrolimus levelsRenal transplantTransplant recipientsChart reviewSecondary outcomesDaily doseDose adjustmentPrimary outcome
2020
Identifying a Kidney Transplant Recipient COVID Phenotype to Aid Test Utilization in the Setting of Limited Testing Availability—Does One Exist?
Virmani S, Gleeson SE, Girone GF, Malhotra D, Cohen EA, Klarman SE, Asch WS. Identifying a Kidney Transplant Recipient COVID Phenotype to Aid Test Utilization in the Setting of Limited Testing Availability—Does One Exist? Transplantation Proceedings 2020, 52: 2584-2591. PMID: 32711848, PMCID: PMC7305913, DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2020.05.033.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsKidney transplant recipientsSARS-CoV-2BK viremiaLimited testing availabilityTesting availabilitySevere acute respiratory syndrome 2 virusImmunosuppressed kidney transplant recipientsOutpatient testing centerPolyoma BK viremiaCOVID-19 infectionPositive predictive valueTransplant recipientsImmunocompetent patientsSymptomatic patientsImmunosuppressed patientsTransplant centersHigh morbidityEmergency departmentInpatient treatmentGeneral populationHigh incidencePatientsCenter deliveriesPredictive valueTest utilizationClinical Implications of Unique Drug Interaction Between Extended Release Tacrolimus and Phenytoin
Harkness TM, Cohen EA, Asch WS, Belfield KD. Clinical Implications of Unique Drug Interaction Between Extended Release Tacrolimus and Phenytoin. Progress In Transplantation 2020, 30: 177-178. PMID: 32233829, DOI: 10.1177/1526924820913500.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchThe Role of the General Nephrologist in Evaluating Patients for Kidney Transplantation: Core Curriculum 2020
Virmani S, Asch WS. The Role of the General Nephrologist in Evaluating Patients for Kidney Transplantation: Core Curriculum 2020. American Journal Of Kidney Diseases 2020, 76: 567-579. PMID: 32199707, DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2020.01.001.BooksMeSH KeywordsCurriculumHumansKidney TransplantationNephrologyPatient SelectionPhysician's RoleReferral and ConsultationConceptsGeneral nephrologistKidney transplantationTransplantation centersKidney transplant waiting listHigher body mass indexCore Curriculum 2020Body mass indexTransplant waiting listLife-saving therapyAllograft outcomesMost patientsPrior malignancyPatient factorsMass indexReplacement therapyKidney failureCardiovascular healthOptimal patientNew patientsWaiting listPreferred modalityPatientsNephrologistsTransplantationRecipient evaluation
2019
Is Hypertension Following Donor Nephrectomy Cause For Elevated Living Donor Kidney Function Concern?
Asch WS. Is Hypertension Following Donor Nephrectomy Cause For Elevated Living Donor Kidney Function Concern? Clinical Journal Of The American Society Of Nephrology 2019, 14: 1427-1429. PMID: 31591256, PMCID: PMC6777590, DOI: 10.2215/cjn.09650819.Commentaries, Editorials and Letters
2018
New England BK consortium: Regional survey of BK screening and management protocols in comparison to published consensus guidelines
Gabardi S, Pavlakis M, Tan C, Francis J, Cardarelli F, Asch W, Bodziak K, Chobanian M, Gilligan H, Gohh R, Kung S, Inker L, Martin S, Rodig N, Rossi A, Chandraker A. New England BK consortium: Regional survey of BK screening and management protocols in comparison to published consensus guidelines. Transplant Infectious Disease 2018, 20: e12985. PMID: 30175491, DOI: 10.1111/tid.12985.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRenal transplant recipientsConsensus guidelinesBKPyV-associated nephropathyCNI dose reductionPlasma viral loadUse of leflunomideCopies/mLHalf of centersMajority of centersManagement protocolCause biopsiesImmunosuppression reductionIntravenous immunoglobulinTransplant recipientsRenal biopsyViral loadBK polyomavirusPrimary treatmentDose reductionBiopsyUniform screeningNephropathyBKPyVShort durationScreening
2017
Delayed Graft Function Phenotypes and 12-Month Kidney Transplant Outcomes
Hall IE, Reese PP, Doshi MD, Weng FL, Schröppel B, Asch WS, Ficek J, Thiessen-Philbrook H, Parikh CR. Delayed Graft Function Phenotypes and 12-Month Kidney Transplant Outcomes. Transplantation 2017, 101: 1913-1923. PMID: 27495761, PMCID: PMC5292094, DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000001409.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsIschemia-reperfusion injurySlow graft functionDelayed graft functionKidney transplant outcomesGraft functionTransplant outcomesCreatinine reductionDeath-censored graft failureDeceased donor kidney recipientsPoor kidney transplant outcomesSevere ischemia-reperfusion injuryGlomerular filtration rateLong-term outcomesLarger translational studiesDGF definitionsIRI severityKidney recipientsDialysis initiationGraft failureProspective studyUnited NetworkFiltration rateRelative riskDialysis sessionOrgan Sharing
2016
New Organ Allocation System for Combined Liver-Kidney Transplants and the Availability of Kidneys for Transplant to Patients with Stage 4–5 CKD
Asch WS, Bia MJ. New Organ Allocation System for Combined Liver-Kidney Transplants and the Availability of Kidneys for Transplant to Patients with Stage 4–5 CKD. Clinical Journal Of The American Society Of Nephrology 2016, 12: 848-852. PMID: 28028050, PMCID: PMC5477211, DOI: 10.2215/cjn.08480816.Commentaries, Editorials and LettersConceptsLiver-kidney transplantSimultaneous liver-kidney transplantOrgan allocationCombined liver-kidney transplantAvailability of kidneysMultiorgan transplant recipientsEquitable organ allocationMedical criteriaOrgan allocation systemLiver recipientsTransplant recipientsTransplant activityNephrology communityTransplantKidneyRecipientsStage 4Great controversyCKDPatientsAKICriteriaBelatacept and Eculizumab for Treatment of Calcineurin Inhibitor-induced Thrombotic Microangiopathy After Kidney Transplantation: Case Report
Merola J, Yoo PS, Schaub J, Smith JD, Rodriguez-Davalos MI, Tichy E, Mulligan DC, Asch W, Formica R, Kashgarian M, Kulkarni S. Belatacept and Eculizumab for Treatment of Calcineurin Inhibitor-induced Thrombotic Microangiopathy After Kidney Transplantation: Case Report. Transplantation Proceedings 2016, 48: 3106-3108. PMID: 27932157, DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2016.04.005.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCalcineurin inhibitorsHemolytic uremic syndromeThrombotic microangiopathyKidney transplantationUremic syndromeMinimization of CNIsAtypical hemolytic uremic syndromeWithdrawal of tacrolimusEarly graft lossFavorable clinical courseGraft dysfunctionGraft lossImmunosuppression strategiesUsual therapyClinical courseCase reportCTLA-4Endothelial reactionFrequent causeChallenging causeUncontrolled activationMonoclonal antibodiesCellular destructionMicroangiopathyComponent C5
2015
Duration of Prophylaxis against Fungal Infection in Kidney Transplant Recipients
Guerra CM, Formica RN, Kulkarni S, Asch WS, Tichy EM. Duration of Prophylaxis against Fungal Infection in Kidney Transplant Recipients. Progress In Transplantation 2015, 25: 311-315. PMID: 26645924, DOI: 10.7182/pit2015929.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsKidney transplant recipientsTransplant recipientsDuration of admissionCandida esophagitisFungal infectionsAdult kidney transplant recipientsEpisodes of thrushDuration of prophylaxisRetrospective chart reviewPrimary outcome measureFisher's exact testAdministration of nystatinStudent's t-testChart reviewOutcome measuresExact testEsophagitisProphylaxisRecipientsInfectionProtocol changesT-testAdmissionTransplantP-valueRenal cancer in kidney transplanted patients
Frascà GM, Sandrini S, Cosmai L, Porta C, Asch W, Santoni M, Salviani C, D’Errico A, Malvi D, Balestra E, Gallieni M. Renal cancer in kidney transplanted patients. Journal Of Nephrology 2015, 28: 659-668. PMID: 26202137, DOI: 10.1007/s40620-015-0219-8.Peer-Reviewed Reviews, Practice Guidelines, Standards, and Consensus StatementsConceptsCalcineurin inhibitorsRenal cancerNative kidneysKidney diseaseWithdrawal of CNIsChronic allograft nephropathyAutosomal dominant polycystic kidney diseaseDominant polycystic kidney diseaseGeneral risk factorsCystic kidney diseasePolycystic kidney diseaseAllograft nephropathyImmunosuppressive therapyRapamycin inhibitorsUltrasound evaluationDialysis treatmentRisk factorsCystic diseaseGeneral populationPatientsMalignancy susceptibilityCancer developmentMammalian targetCancerKidney
2014
Oncologic Issues and Kidney Transplantation: A Review of Frequency, Mortality, and Screening
Asch WS, Bia MJ. Oncologic Issues and Kidney Transplantation: A Review of Frequency, Mortality, and Screening. Advances In Kidney Disease And Health 2014, 21: 106-113. PMID: 24359993, DOI: 10.1053/j.ackd.2013.07.003.BooksMeSH KeywordsAnus NeoplasmsBreast NeoplasmsCarcinoma, Renal CellColorectal NeoplasmsEarly Detection of CancerFemaleHumansImmunocompromised HostImmunosuppressive AgentsKidney Failure, ChronicKidney NeoplasmsKidney TransplantationLymphoproliferative DisordersNeoplasmsSkin NeoplasmsUterine Cervical NeoplasmsConceptsStandard incidence ratioKidney transplantationKidney transplant recipientsDevelopment of malignancyReview of frequencyTransplant recipientsIncidence ratiosCommon malignancyTreatment recommendationsTumor surveillanceOncologic issuesGeneral populationTumor growthMalignancyOncogenic virusesCurrent preventionTransplantationRiskEarly ageImmunosuppressantsReviewCancerMortalityRecipientsPrevention
2012
A One-Day Centralized Work-up for Kidney Transplant Recipient Candidates: A Quality Improvement Report
Formica RN, Barrantes F, Asch WS, Bia MJ, Coca S, Kalyesubula R, McCloskey B, Leary T, Arvelakis A, Kulkarni S. A One-Day Centralized Work-up for Kidney Transplant Recipient Candidates: A Quality Improvement Report. American Journal Of Kidney Diseases 2012, 60: 288-294. PMID: 22571868, DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2012.04.008.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsKidney transplantImprovement reportMultivariable Cox proportional hazards modelsCox proportional hazards modelKidney transplant candidacyMinimal listing criteriaGroup of patientsUniversity-based hospitalQuality improvement reportProportional hazards modelTransplant candidacyTransplant evaluationUNOS waitlistWaitlist placementTransplant centersComorbid conditionsMedian timeMultivariable analysisTransplant practitionersDialysis exposureFunctional statusWait listHazards modelPatientsRecipient candidatesPatient Education to Reduce Disparities in Renal Transplantation
Asch WS, Bia MJ. Patient Education to Reduce Disparities in Renal Transplantation. Clinical Journal Of The American Society Of Nephrology 2012, 7: 527-529. PMID: 22403275, DOI: 10.2215/cjn.01770212.Commentaries, Editorials and Letters
2011
When should nephrectomy be performed for a failed renal transplant?
Asch WS, Bia M. When should nephrectomy be performed for a failed renal transplant? Seminars In Dialysis 2011, 24: 374-376. PMID: 21801221, DOI: 10.1111/j.1525-139x.2011.00903.x.BooksShould Living Kidney Donor Candidates with Impaired Fasting Glucose Donate?
Vigneault CB, Asch WS, Dahl NK, Bia MJ. Should Living Kidney Donor Candidates with Impaired Fasting Glucose Donate? Clinical Journal Of The American Society Of Nephrology 2011, 6: 2054-2059. PMID: 21784837, DOI: 10.2215/cjn.03370411.BooksConceptsTransplant centersLiving donorsDonor candidatesGreater riskImpaired glucose toleranceImpaired glucose metabolismDefinition of diabetesPotential living donorsKidney donor candidatesFuture diabetesKidney transplantMetabolic syndromeGlucose toleranceKidney donorsDonor screeningTransplant guidelinesHispanic ethnicityGlucose metabolismDiabetesHispanic individualsPotential donorsIFGRiskDonorsEthnicityCombined Liver Kidney Transplantation: Critical Analysis of a Single-Center Experience
Cimsit B, Schilsky M, Moini M, Cartiera K, Arvelakis A, Kulkarni S, Formica R, Caldwell C, Taddei T, Asch W, Emre S. Combined Liver Kidney Transplantation: Critical Analysis of a Single-Center Experience. Transplantation Proceedings 2011, 43: 901-904. PMID: 21486624, DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2011.02.033.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdolescentAdultAgedConnecticutEnd Stage Liver DiseaseHumansKidney TransplantationLiver TransplantationMiddle AgedRenal InsufficiencyTreatment OutcomeYoung AdultConceptsLiver-kidney transplantationHigh MELD scoreKidney transplantationMELD scoreKidney diseaseEnd-stage liver disease (MELD) scoreCombined liver-kidney transplantationGraft/patient survivalLow glomerular filtration rateOrgan allocation algorithmsPrimary biliary sclerosisRecurrence of HCVSevere HCV recurrenceTransplantation of patientsLiver Disease scoreSerum creatinine levelsRenal allograft rejectionSingle-center experienceGlomerular filtration rateHepatitis C virusPolycystic kidney diseaseBiliary sclerosisHCV recurrenceIschemic hepatitisOLT patients