De novo Inflammatory Bowel Disease following Liver and Heart Transplantation: A Case Series Exploring the Role of IL-23 Pathway-Targeted Therapy
Introduction: De novo inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a rare but clinically significant complication after solid organ transplantation (SOT), with incidence higher than that in the general population. Its pathogenesis, diagnostic challenges, and optimal management remain poorly defined. We describe 6 cases of de novo IBD following liver or heart transplantation and evaluate therapeutic outcomes with selective biologics targeting the IL-23 pathway. Methods: Six SOT recipients (3 liver, 3 heart) developed new-onset ulcerative colitis-type (UC-type, n = 3) or Crohn’s disease-like (CD-like, n = 3) IBD after a median of 47.5 months post-transplantation. None had pre-transplant intestinal symptoms; colonoscopy was negative before transplantation in 2 UC-type cases. Alternative etiologies – including cytomegalovirus colitis, drug-induced colitis, and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder – were rigorously excluded. Treatments included systemic corticosteroids, mirikizumab, ustekinumab, or risankizumab. Median follow-up was 15.6 months. Results: Corticosteroids induced remission in 2 UC-type cases, while one steroid-refractory UC-type case and all CD-like cases achieved clinical improvement and endoscopic response or remission with IL-23-targeted biologics. No opportunistic infections, severe biologic-related adverse events, or graft rejection were observed. Conclusions: De novo IBD emerged years after SOT, with variable phenotypes despite baseline immunosuppression. IL-23 pathway inhibitors demonstrated favorable efficacy and safety in this vulnerable population, representing a promising strategy warranting further prospective evaluation.
- Research Article
34
- 10.1053/j.ajkd.2009.09.026
- Dec 5, 2009
- American Journal of Kidney Diseases
Posttransplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder Following Kidney Transplant
- Research Article
32
- 10.1111/ajt.15605
- Oct 28, 2019
- American Journal of Transplantation
Underimmunization of the solid organ transplant population: An urgent problem with potential digital health solutions.
- Research Article
4
- 10.1002/hon.2234
- Jun 1, 2015
- Hematological oncology
II. Challenges in the management of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder.
- Research Article
62
- 10.1016/j.jhep.2004.03.006
- Apr 9, 2004
- Journal of Hepatology
Lymphoproliferative disorders after liver transplantation
- Research Article
46
- 10.1111/ajt.12125
- Mar 1, 2013
- American Journal of Transplantation
Travel Medicine and Transplant Tourism in Solid Organ Transplantation
- Research Article
69
- 10.1111/ajt.16079
- Jul 17, 2020
- American journal of transplantation : official journal of the American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons
Clinical outcomes and serologic response in solid organ transplant recipients with COVID-19: A case series from the United States.
- Research Article
44
- 10.1111/ajt.16541
- May 6, 2021
- American journal of transplantation : official journal of the American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons
Prevalence and predictors of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among solid organ transplant recipients with confirmed infection.
- Research Article
13
- 10.1111/ajt.15826
- Mar 10, 2020
- American Journal of Transplantation
A multicenter study to define the epidemiology and outcomes of Clostridioides difficile infection in pediatric hematopoietic cell and solid organ transplant recipients.
- Research Article
4
- 10.1186/s12985-025-02623-y
- Jan 15, 2025
- Virology Journal
IntroductionOrgan transplant recipients face a substantial risk of developing posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD). In over 90% of cases with B‐cell PTLD following solid organ transplantation, the Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) genome is promptly identified, usually within the initial year. A continuing discussion revolves around the efficacy of antiviral prophylaxis in mitigating the incidence of PTLD in solid organ transplant (SOT) patients. This study aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate this issue.MethodA comprehensive search was conducted up to December 31, 2023, in databases including PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for retrospective and prospective studies comparing antiviral prophylaxis effects on EVB viremia and PTLD incidence in SOT recipients. Fixed or random effect models were applied based on the heterogeneity assessed via the I2 statistic, using Stata 16.0 software for data analysis.ResultsIn total, 22 eligible studies involving 13,498 patients were analyzed. Antiviral prophylaxis was associated with a significant reduction in EBV viremia incidence in SOT recipients, as demonstrated in 10 studies (relative risk (RR) 0.69, 95% CI 0.54 to 0.88). The rate of PTLD was significantly lower among those who received antiviral prophylaxis compared to those who did not, as reported in 18 studies (RR 0.77, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.94). No significant difference was observed in the subgroup of high-risk recipients based on EBV serology (RR 1.13, 95% CI 0.72 to 1.78). Additionally, a notable reduction in PTLD incidence was seen in the pediatric subgroup (RR 0.58, 95% CI 0.43 to 0.79) using antiviral prophylaxis, while no significant differences were observed in the subgroup of adults (RR 0.88, 95% CI 0.64 to 1.21). Administration of antiviral prophylaxis can significantly reduce the incidence of PTLD among kidney (RR 0.63, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.87) and heart transplant patients (RR 0.61, 95% CI 0.39 to 0.96). PTLD incidence was significantly reduced among recipients of T-cell depletion or steroid-based immunosuppression using antiviral prophylaxis (RR 0.54, 95% CI 0.39–0.74 and RR 0.55, 95% CI 0.41–0.73, respectively).ConclusionThis meta-analysis revealed that administering antiviral prophylaxis to patients after solid organ transplantation reduces PTLD and EBV viremia occurrences, especially among pediatric recipients, individuals undergoing kidney or heart transplantation, and those receiving high-intensity immunosuppression regimens.Key Summary PointsPost-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) and other EBV syndromes are among the most serious complications following solid organ transplantation (SOT), primarily due to the necessity for prolonged immunosuppressive therapy.Among the strategies for preventing EBV-related complications, the use of antiviral prophylaxis is a subject of ongoing debate. This systematic review and meta-analysis found that antiviral prophylaxis significantly reduced EBV viremia incidence (risk ratio (RR) 0.69, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.54 to 0.88) compared to those without prophylaxis.In the sub-analysis related to high-risk EBV serologically mismatched SOT recipients (EBV D+/R-), the result did not show a significant difference in terms of PTLD incidence (RR 1.13, 95% CI 0.72 to 1.78).Antiviral prophylaxis significantly impacted the occurrence of PTLD events among pediatric SOT patients (RR 0.58, 95% CI 0.43 to 0.79), but not among adult patients (RR 0.88, 95% CI 0.64 to 1.21).Antiviral prophylaxis significantly impacted the occurrence of PTLD events among kidney/simultaneous pancreas and kidney (RR 0.63, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.87) and heart (RR 0.61, 95% CI 0.39 to 0.96) transplant patients but not liver (RR 0.5, 95% CI 0.23 to 1.08) transplant recipients.
- Abstract
- 10.1182/blood-2021-151489
- Nov 5, 2021
- Blood
Incidence and Outcomes of Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disease after 5365 Solid Organ Transplants over a 20 Year Period at 2 UK Transplant Centres
- Abstract
- 10.1182/blood.v118.21.4941.4941
- Nov 18, 2011
- Blood
Post-Transplantation Lymphoproliferative Disorders (PTLD) Management in Solid Organ Transplantation (SOT) Recipients
- Research Article
197
- 10.1111/ajt.12115
- Mar 1, 2013
- American Journal of Transplantation
Aspergillosis in Solid Organ Transplantation
- Abstract
- 10.1182/blood.v110.11.1367.1367
- Nov 16, 2007
- Blood
Eighty-Five Cases of Lymphoma in a Solid Organ Transplant (SOT) Population: Risk, Treatment, and Histologic Subtype.
- Research Article
1
- 10.5005/japi-11001-0037
- Jul 1, 2022
- Journal of the Association of Physicians of India
Post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) is a common problem among solid organ transplant recipients contributing to morbidity and affecting patient as well as graft survival adversely. It can occur at any period following transplantation, but maximum incidence is observed in the first few months, with a second peak after a few years after transplantation. The pathogenesis is complex and poorly understood, however, it is associated with both dysfunctional beta-cells and insulin resistance. Both nonpharmacologic and antidiabetic therapies are important for adequate glycemic control. This point of view article provides a short review on PTDM in solid organ transplantation (SOT) recipients from a general physician's perspective.
- Research Article
6
- 10.1111/ajt.14260
- Mar 30, 2017
- American Journal of Transplantation
Outcomes of Pediatric Kidney Transplantation in Recipients of a Previous Non-Renal Solid Organ Transplant.