HIV-Positive to HIV-Positive Transplants
After receiving approval from the United Network for Organ Sharing to be the first hospital in the United States to perform HIV-positive to HIV-positive organ transplants, Johns Hopkins did just that, becoming the first in the world to execute an HIV-positive to HIV-positive liver transplant and the first in the United States to do an HIV-positive to HIV-positive kidney transplant.
A multidisciplinary team from Johns Hopkins Medicine jumped at the opportunity to perform the surgeries as soon as suitable organs and recipients became available. There are approximately 122,000 people on the transplant waiting list in the United States at any given time. Thousands die each year, many of whom might have lived had they gotten the organ they needed. With the passage of the HIV Organ Policy Equity Act of 2013 and the recent approval from the United Network for Organ Sharing, HIV-positive patients could have a second chance at life.
She was a daughter, a mother, an auntie, best friend and sister! She was able to leave this world helping those underdogs she fought so hard for. Our family was fortunate to have had her for the time we did and blessed she is able to continue on within our hearts and the souls of so many she is able to help!
- Family members of the anonymous liver donor
National Coverage
- NPR:
New Source Of Transplant Organs For Patients With HIV: Others With HIV - CNN:
In a first, HIV-positive donor's kidney, liver given to HIV-positive patients - Los Angeles Times
In a first, liver and kidney from HIV-infected donor are transplanted into HIV-positive patients - ABC News
First Liver Transplant Between HIV-Positive Donor and Recipient Marks Milestone for HIV Patients - TIME
First Transplant from HIV-Positive Donor Performed in U.S. - STAT
World's first transplant of HIV-positive liver a success, doctors say - Baltimore Sun
Johns Hopkins performs first transplants between donors recipients infected with HIV - Daily Mail
World's first ever HIV-positive to HIV-positive liver transplant has taken place in US, surgeons reveal - CBC News
HIV-positive organ transplanted in U.S.
Additional Resources
