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R Reding

Publications and source records attributed to R Reding.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Living-related versus deceased donor pediatric liver transplantation: a multivariate analysis of technical and immunological complications in 235 recipients.

Timely access to a living donor (LD) reduced pretransplant mortality in pediatric liver transplantation (LT). We hypothesized that this strategy may provide better posttransplant outcome. Between July 1993 and April 2002, 235 children received a primary LT from a LD (n = 100) or a deceased donor (DD) (n = 135). Demographic, surgical and immunological variables were compared, and respective impact on posttransplant complications was studied using a multivariate analysis. Five-year patient survival rates were 92% and 85% for groups LD and DD, respectively (p = 0.181), the corresponding graft survival rates being 89% and 77% (p = 0.033). At multivariate analysis: (1) type of donor (DD) was correlated with higher rate of artery thrombosis (p < 0.012); (2) biliary complication rate at 5 years was 29% and 23% for groups LD and DD, respectively (p = 0.451); (3) lower acute rejection incidence could be correlated with type of donor (DD) (p = 0.001), and immunosuppressive therapy (tacrolimus) (p < 0.001). We conclude that (1) according to the multivariate analysis, LT with LD provided similar patient and graft outcome, when compared to DD; (2) a higher rate of artery thrombosis and a lower rate of rejection were observed in group DD; (3) this study confirms the efficacy of tacrolimus for immunoprophylaxis, whatever the type of organ donor is.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Orthotopic liver transplantation from a living-related donor in an infant with a peroxisome biogenesis defect of the infantile Refsum disease type.

Peroxisomal biogenesis defects include a number of severe neurodevelopmental disorders, among which infantile Refsum disease (IRD) occupies the mildest end of the spectrum. Although high docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and low phytanic acid diets can correct some of the biochemical defects, they have not consistently altered the progressive course of the disease. We carried out orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) in a mildly symptomatic 6-month-old infant who was a sibling of a severely neurologically impaired older sister. After transplantation the clinical course of this young child appeared much improved by comparison to her older sister. She walked alone at 4 years, had acceptable social interaction and had a noticeable recovery of audition. After transplantation her biochemical parameters were significantly improved: phytanic acid and very long-chain fatty acid (VLCFA) serum concentrations decreased. Abnormal bile acids disappeared from plasma. Although the OLT did not result in a cure of the disorder, the clinical and biochemical results suggest that OLT should be considered in mildly symptomatic patients.

ATPases Associated with Diverse Cellular Activitie↗
PubMed2005

[Contribution to the study of mechanisms of rejection and tolerance in organ transplantation: minimizing immunosuppression as a strategy for graft tolerance in pediatric liver transplantation]].

Basic concepts in transplantation immunology have been recently revisited. Accordingly, the immune response towards an allograft is not anymore considered as necessarily harmful, but could participate, under certain conditions, to graft acceptation through active mechanisms. This novel paradigm was progressively evaluated in clinical liver transplantation, with the aim to minimize the immunosuppressive regimens and, as a first step, to completely withdraw steroids from the immunoprophylactic regimen. The development of laboratory tests to reproducibly assess the immune reactivity of a recipient towards his/her transplanted organ should allow the identification of operationally tolerant patients, and the elective withdrawal of maintenance immunosuppression in this subgroup.

Child↗
PubMed2003

Pediatric liver transplantation for biliary atresia: results of primary grafts in 328 recipients.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the overall results of recipients undergoing transplantation for biliary atresia (BA), according to age, surgical techniques, and transplant eras, and to identify the prognostic factors affecting outcome. METHODS: Between 1984 and 2000, 328 pediatric recipients with BA who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) were reviewed. Median age at OLT was 1.5 years (range, 0.4-14.5 years). Kasai hepatoportoenterostomy (KHPE) had been previously performed in 285 (87%) children. Regarding surgical techniques, 125 (38%) children received a whole-liver graft, 128 (39%) received a reduced-size graft, 16 (5%) received a split-liver graft, and 59 (18%) received a living-related (LR) donor graft. RESULTS: Overall actuarial patient survivals were 87%, 83%, and 81% at 1, 5, and 10 years, respectively. One-year patient survivals in children undergoing transplantation at the different age ranges were 85% (under 1 year), 86% (1-3 years), 83% (3-6 years), 100% (6-10 years), and 100% (beyond 10 years) (not significant). One-year patient survivals for the different transplant eras were 75% (1984-1988), 85% (1989-1992), 93% (1993-1996), and 98% (1997-2000) (P=0.0001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that pretransplant recipient weight (P=0.004), indication for OLT (P=0.083), and age at OLT (P=0.024) predicted patient survival. The type of baseline calcineurin inhibitor (tacrolimus) and the age at OLT (beyond 6 years) were significantly associated with a better graft survival. CONCLUSIONS: Best results in children undergoing transplantation beyond 6 years indicate the importance of performing a KHPE as the first therapeutic step in BA; innovative surgical techniques, particularly LR donor graft, allowed successful transplantation in infants with early failure of KHPE.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

[Transplantation surgery and immunology: from origins to new paradigms of immune tolerance].

The technique of vascular anastomosis (A. Carrel, 1902) and the developments of transplantation immunology, allowed the first successful attempts at clinical organ grafting in the early sixties. The introduction of new immunosuppressors and surgical techniques both contributed to the introduction of organ transplantation into daily practice. Preclinical and clinical research on immunologic tolerance offers the perspective of immunosuppression withdrawal and of full rehabilitation after transplantation.

History, 19th Century↗
PubMed2001

Posttransplant immune hepatitis in pediatric liver transplant recipients: incidence and maintenance therapy with azathioprine.

BACKGROUND: Cases of so-called autoimmune hepatitis (AH) have been reported after liver transplantation. Our aim was to evaluate the incidence in a series of 471 pediatric liver transplant recipients. METHODS: Between 1984 and 1998, 471 children had orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Children are followed up on a regular basis, with full clinical, biochemical, and histologic evaluation at 6 months, 1, 2, 5, 7, and 10 years after OLT. Children with unexplained abnormal liver tests were screened for autoimmune markers (total gamma-globulins, smooth muscle antibodies [SMA], liver kidney microsome antibodies [LKM], antinuclear factor [ANA]). From January of 1998 until December of 1998, autoimmune markers were prospectively searched in all children admitted for regular posttransplant follow-up (n = 118). RESULTS: Eleven of 471 children (2.35%) were found with autoimmune hepatitis, 9 retrospectively and 2 prospectively. None had previous autoimmune liver disease. Patients had a history of steroid-dependent hepatitis. Histology showed variable degree of portal and lobular inflammation, piecemeal necrosis, and bridging collapse. Mean (+/-SDS) aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities at diagnosis were 173+/-145 and 196+/-157 IU/L, respectively (nl<32). Median gamma-globulin levels reached 1365 mg/dl versus 931 mg/dl in controls (P<0.05). Nine had ANA (titer 1/80 up to 1/10,000), 1 SMA (1/320), and 2 LKM1 antibodies (1/1280). Patients did not respond to increasing charge of cyclosporine (n=10) or tacrolimus (n=1). Eleven received steroids (prednisolone: 2 mg/kg per day, then tapered) and azathioprine (1.5 to 2.5 mg/kg per day). All patients normalized within 3 months (mean AST/ALT levels of 26+/-8 and 30+/-9 IU/L). Three had mild to moderate relapse with increase of ALT thereafter. Gamma-globulins decreased to 1190 mg/dl (ns). Amongst the 116 remaining prospectively evaluated patients, 85 had normal evaluation, despite low titers of autoantibodies in 15 (SMA< or =1/40, ANA 1/80). Thirty-one patients had graft dysfunction, related to well-explained posttransplant causes, among which 7 had similar low levels of autoantibodies. CONCLUSIONS: A total of 2.35% of our transplant children present evidence of immune hepatitis after transplantation. Patients do not respond to increasing cyclosporine or tacrolimus levels and require steroid and azathioprine. In view of this specific treatment, systematic screening for "autoimmune" markers is advised in children with liver transplant.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Elevated right ventricular pressures are not a contraindication to liver transplantation in Alagille syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Elevated right ventricle pressure resulting from pulmonary artery stenoses may affect outcome and survival after liver transplantation in patients with Alagille syndrome. METHODS AND RESULTS: Between 1984 and 1997, among 444 pediatric liver transplant recipients, 17 had liver transplantation for Alagille syndrome (mean age 3.5 years, range 1.2-13 years), mainly because of poor quality of life with intractable pruritus, and failure to thrive. All patients had pulmonary artery stenosis. In 10 patients considered to have elevated RV pressure on ECG and/or Doppler-echocardiography, a cardiac catheterization was performed before liver transplantation. Mean RV systolic pressure was 55 mmHg (median 49.5 mmHg, range 35-98 mm Hg), mean RV to left ventricular systolic pressure ratio 0.53 (median 0.53, range 0.29-0.78) with a ratio above 0.5 in 6 patients (median 0.66, range 0.5-0.8). All patients underwent successful liver transplantation. Five patients died 1 to 9 months after transplantation from noncardiac causes. In two of them, cardiac catheterization before transplantation showed a RV to left ventricular pressure ratio of 0.51 in one and 0.37 in the second. In the three others, echocardiography before transplantation estimated RV pressures below 0.5 systemic pressures. At follow-up (median 6 years, range 1.5-15 years), liver tests were normal in all, none complained of pruritus and body weight was normalized in 70%. None of the patients presented cardiac symptoms, arrhythmias, or worsening of their cardiac status. CONCLUSIONS: Liver transplantation can be performed safely in children with Alagille syndrome, even in the presence of elevated right ventricular pressure.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Use of mycophenolate mofetil as rescue therapy after pediatric liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) has been increasingly used after liver transplantation (LT) in adults. We report our preliminary experience with MMF as rescue therapy after pediatric LT. METHODS: A total of 19 children received MMF for 21 indications. Median age at LT was 30 months (range 7-149). The median initial oral dose of MMF was 23 mg/kg/day (range 12-43) orally. Median follow-up after initiation of MMF therapy was 642 days (range 229-1606). RESULTS: 1) EFFICACY: MMF was indicated for rejection or insufficient immunosuppression in 16 cases, with normalization of both liver function tests and liver histology in 10 (62%). MMF was successfully used in one patient with post-LT immmune hepatitis and one patient with corticodependence. In three patients with renal function impairment, MMF allowed reduction of cyclosporine A or tacrolimus blood levels, without subsequent rejection. 2) Tolerance: Six patients (32%) experienced eight side effects, mainly gastrointestinal and hematological, which resolved after cessation of MMF in five cases and dose reduction in three. One case of posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) occurred under MMF therapy (5.2%). Four patients had EBV primary infection, while under MMF therapy, without subsequent PTLD. Three patients had CMV primary infection, and five CMV reactivation, under MMF therapy. Seven remained asymptomatic, and one presented with CMV enteritis. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results suggest that MMF is an effective and safe immunosuppressant in pediatric LT recipients. Its use is hampered by frequent gastrointestinal and hematological side-effects. MMF does not seem to increase the risk of PTLD nor CMV disease.

Burkitt Lymphoma↗
PubMed2001

Is the Kasai operation still indicated in children older than 3 months diagnosed with biliary atresia?

OBJECTIVES: The prognosis of hepatoportoenterostomy (the Kasai operation) for biliary atresia worsens when the age at surgery increases. This study examines whether the Kasai operation remains justified after 3 months of life. STUDY DESIGN: Records for all patients with biliary atresia living in France and born in the years 1986 to 1996 were reviewed, and patients were classified into 3 groups: group 1 (n = 30), no contraindication to the Kasai operation, but orientation to de novo transplantation; group 2 (n = 380), age at Kasai operation <90 days; and group 3 (n = 60), age at Kasai operation > or =90 days. Survival with native liver, survival after liver transplantation, and overall survival (Kaplan-Meier method) were compared by using the log-rank test. RESULTS: Five-year (10-year) survival with native liver was 35% (30%) in group 2 and 25% (22%) in group 3 (P =.03). Five-year overall survival was 57%, 74%, and 55% in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively (P =.003). Poor results in groups 1 and 3 were mainly due to increased pre-transplantation mortality, but survival after transplantation was not significantly different in the 3 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Performance of the Kasai operation after 3 months of age is justified in selected cases, because it may obviate liver transplantation. Preoperative evaluation should exclude patients with advanced liver disease for whom liver transplantation should not be delayed.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2001

[Diagnosis and follow-up of a large intrahepatic portocaval fistula in a newborn].

Portocaval fistulas are rare and only exceptionally discovered in newborns. We report the case of a large portocaval fistula associated with portal hypoperfusion detected at Doppler US imaging in an otherwise asymptomatic 5 week old infant. The patient remained asymptomatic over the following two years. At that time, preoperative angiogram showed a normal portal venous system and the fistula was surgically closed. Postoperative US showed a normal and patent portal system, without evidence of portal hypertension.

Follow-Up Studies↗
PubMed2000

Steroid withdrawal in liver transplantation: benefits, risks, and unanswered questions.

Since the early days of clinical liver transplantation, steroid therapy has constituted the mainstay of maintenance immunosuppression and is still currently combined with cyclosporine or tacrolimus worldwide. Nevertheless, the side effects of long-term steroid administration, particularly diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, arterial hypertension, infections, and bone diseases, including growth retardation in children, have focused the interest on the feasibility of steroid-free immunosuppression. The benefits and the risks of steroid withdrawal (SW) after liver transplantation are overviewed. In adults, early (3 months after transplantation) SW has been validated by several studies, whereas in pediatric recipients, the timing and selection criteria to optimize the risk/benefit ratio of SW still constitute a matter of debate. The identification of the unanswered questions in this field may serve as a framework for future studies to better assess steroid-free immunosuppression after liver transplantation.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed2000

Indications and results of chemotherapy in children with posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease after liver transplantation.

Among 39 posttransplant lymphoproliferative diseases (PTLD) in a cohort of 450 pediatric liver transplant recipients, 3 had a malignant lymphoma, unresponsive to arrest of immunosuppression and to gancyclovir, interferon, and anti-interleukin 6 antibodies. Lymphoma appeared 20, 46, and 96 months posttransplantation and 16, 43, and 90 months after primary Epstein-Barr virus infection. In one case, the patient had histological progression from plasmacytic hyperplasia PTLD, concomitant with symptomatic primary infection, to Burkitt-like lymphoma 43 months later. These three patients received five courses of chemotherapy, after a cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone regimen for Burkitt-like or LH 89 scheme for Hodgkin-like PTLDs. Chemotherapy was well tolerated, and all three were free of disease and without immunosuppression 19, 14, and 4 months after chemotherapy. In Burkitt-like or Hodgkin-like PTLDs, immunomodulatory or antiviral drugs were inefficient. Chemotherapy is indicated and can be safely and successfully used. Long-term arrest of immunosuppression seems feasible without graft rejection.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed2000

Surgery for hilar cholangiocarcinoma: French experience in a collective survey of 552 extrahepatic bile duct cancers.

Five hundred and fifty-two cases of primary carcinoma of the extrahepatic bile ducts (gallbladder and periampullary tumors excluded) collected from 55 surgical centers were reviewed retrospectively. Three hundred seven patients (56%) had upper-third lesions (proximal carcinoma), whereas 71 (13%) and 101 (18%), respectively, had middle-third and lower-third bile duct carcinomas. The remaining patients had diffuse lesions. Resectability rates were 32% for upper-third localization compared with 47% and 51% for middle-third and lower-third localization, respectively. The operative mortality rate for proximal carcinomas was significantly lower with resection (16%) compared with palliative surgery (31%) (P<0.05). Overall 1 year survival (operative deaths excluded) was 68% after tumor resection compared to 31% after palliative surgery (P<0.001). Long-term results after surgical resection correlated with local and regional extension of the disease. The results of this study show that resection of extrahepatic bile duct carcinomas, particularly in an upper-third localization, is often associated with worthwhile long-term survival.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Characteristics of Epstein-Barr virus primary infection in pediatric liver transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Pediatric liver transplant recipients are at high risk of Epstein-Barr virus infection. However the incidence of clinical symptoms and the graft function at the time of acute infection remains poorly documented. The aim of this study was to monitor the clinical and biochemical events associated with primary Epstein-Barr virus infection. METHODS: Clinical and biological patterns associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection were prospectively searched in 38 liver transplanted children. Polymerase chain reaction and anti-Epstein-Barr virus IgM antibodies were used at regular intervals to detect the timing of primary infection. RESULTS: Five children (13%) had pretransplant immunity, 26 (68.5%) developed primary Epstein-Barr virus infection 15 to 90 days after transplantation and seven (18.5%) remained Epstein-Barr virus negative. The four patients with clinical symptoms at the time of infection subsequently developed post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease. A single post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease occurred in non-symptomatic patients (overall incidence 13%). No mortality was associated with post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease. Two asymptomatic patients had abnormal liver function tests possibly related to primary Epstein-Barr virus infection. CONCLUSION: Epstein-Barr virus primary infection occurs in 80% of seronegative patients within 3 months after OLT. Clinical symptoms are rare and closely associated with post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease. Outside post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease, the consequences of infection are marginal.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Adult liver transplantation: the Université Catholique de Louvain experience.

Liver transplantation remains a formidable surgical and medical procedure. The larger single centre experience confirms that standardization of perioperative care and simplification of the surgical procedure markedly improve results. Further efforts must be made in relation to immunosuppressive therapy in order to minimize late morbidity and mortality.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Preserved vascular homograft for revascularization of pediatric liver transplant: a clinical, histological, and bacteriological study.

BACKGROUND: Arterial or venous homografts are frequently implanted for vascular reconstruction in orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). When fresh vascular homografts (VH) from the same donor were not available, VH from another donor preserved at 4 degrees C in Terasaki (Ter) solution (modified lymphocyte culture medium) were used. METHODS: The clinical results after implantation of Ter-stored VH versus fresh VH in the revascularization of pediatric OLT were studied retrospectively. Short- and long-term follow-up of vascular patency was carried out by doppler ultrasonography in each case. A histological and bacteriological study of nonimplanted VH stored at 4 degrees C in saline (Sal), Ter and University of Wisconsin (UW) solutions for various time periods (days 0-28) was also undertaken. RESULTS: Between 1989 and 1996, 21 iliac arteries and 21 iliac veins preserved in Ter solution (mean preservation time: 8 days; range 1-26) and 100 fresh VH (68 arteries and 32 veins) (preservation time: 8 hr, range 4-21) were used in pediatric OLT. Thrombosis rates were 0 of 21 for stored arteries vs. 7 of 68 (10%) for fresh arteries (NS) and 3 of 21 (14%) for stored veins vs. 3 of 32 (9%) for fresh veins (NS). Actuarial graft survival rates were similar in both groups. Histological analysis of stored, nonimplanted VH invariably showed endothelial destruction within 24-48 hr after procurement. The bacteriological study showed contamination rates of 14 of 25 (56%) for Sal-stored VH, 5 of 25 (20%) for UW, and 1 of 19 (5%) for Ter (Sal vs. UW and Sal vs. Ter: P<0.01; UW vs. Ter: NS). CONCLUSIONS: Ter-preserved cadaveric VH could be safely used in OLT despite early destruction of endothelium.

Adenosine↗
PubMed1999

Pediatric liver transplantation with cadaveric or living related donors: comparative results in 90 elective recipients of primary grafts.

STUDY DESIGN: Between July 1993 and March 1997, 110 children were listed for primary elective liver transplantation with cadaveric (Cad: n = 68) or living-related (LR: n = 42) donors. Pregraft mortality, post-transplant survival, and surgical and immunologic complications were retrospectively compared in both groups. RESULTS: The pregraft mortality rate was 10 (15%) of 68 versus 1 (2%) of 42 in the Cad and LR groups, respectively (P =.049). Postliver transplantation 1-year patient and graft survival rates were 87% and 75% in the Cad group (n = 49) versus 92% and 90% in the LR group (n = 41), respectively (NS). The incidence of post-transplant complications was as follows: hepatic artery thrombosis (Cad: 16%; LR: 0%, P =.020), portal vein thrombosis (Cad: 8%; LR: 2%, NS), and biliary complications (Cad: 14%; LR: 34%, P =.044). The overall incidence of acute rejection was similar in both groups; however, a lower incidence of acute rejection occurred in LR graft recipients treated with tacrolimus. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of an LR donor liver transplantation program allowed a significant decrease in the pretransplant mortality rate, with a consequent overall improvement in patient survival compared with the Cad series. The incidence of biliary complications was higher in the LR series, whereas better human leukocyte antigen matching in this subgroup did not result in a lower rejection incidence.

Adolescent↗