NEW DELHI: Doctors at a Delhi hosptial have successfully performed a complex living donor kidney transplant on a 43-year-old HIV-positive patient from Ethiopia, suffering from end-stage renal disease.The patient had been living with HIV for over a decade and developed end-stage kidney disease three years ago, requiring regular dialysis. In search of advanced treatment, he travelled to India, where he was evaluated by a multidisciplinary transplant team at Max Hospital Patparganj.After pre-transplant assessment, the patient’s 33-yearold wife was found to be a suitable donor. Compatibility testing confirmed matching blood groups and a negative crossmatch, allowing doctors to proceed with the transplant.Kidney transplantation in HIV-positive individuals has historically posed challenges due to infection risks and the complexities of managing immune suppression. However, recent advances in antiretroviral therapy and transplant protocols have made such procedures safe in carefully selected patients.Before surgery, the patient underwent an evaluation to ensure his HIV was wellcontrolled, with a stable immune profile and an undetectable viral load.The surgery was led by Dr. Paresh Jain, senior director of urology, robotic surgery and renal transplant, along with Dr. Ravi Kumar Singh, senior consultant in nephrology and transplant medicine.“In this case, careful pretransplant evaluation, precise surgical execution and postoperative monitoring were critical to ensuring a successful outcome. This procedure reflects how advances in transplant science and surgical expertise are enabling us to safely expand access to life-saving transplants for patients who were once considered highrisk,” said Dr. Paresh Jain.Dr. Ravi Kumar Singh emphasised the evolving outlook for such patients: “HIV is no longer a barrier to organ transplantation when managed appropriately.”As per doctors, the patient is recovering well. He has been taken off dialysis and is gradually resuming normal daily activities, while continuing on a carefully monitored regimen of immunosuppressive and antiretroviral therapy.
