HIV+ Undergoes Successful Kidney Transplant At Max Hospital, Mohali

By 121 News Reporter

Chandigarh 20^th January:-- In a significant development, the doctors at Max Super Specialty Hospital (MSSH) , Mohali have successfully transplanted a kidney to an HIV positive patient. This is one of the few cases done so far in India and the second of an Indian national. The surgery was performed by a team of doctors, comprising of Dr Vinay Sakhuja, Director Nephrology & Transplant Medicine, Dr Sanand Bag, Senior Urologist & Transplant Surgeon and Dr Munish Chauhan, Senior Consultant Nephrologist & Transplant Physician. The development has given a new lease of hope to over 2 million HIV infected population in the country, especially those suffering from chronic kidney failure.      

The treated 35-yr patient had an unusual experience living with HIV. He contracted this infection unknowingly in his teenage through sharing needles among his peer group. Later he detached himself from drugs, got a graduation degree and started working in family business. About 10-yr back, Hari was devastated when he detected positive for HIV, but fortunately all through this his family supported him. With the effective medication (HAART), his general condition remained stable and he got married and was leading a normal life.

Addressing a press conference Dr Munish Chauhan said that kidney transplant was a viable and necessary option for HIV patients with CKD especially since kidney disease takes a large toll on this group. This kidney transplant was amongst very few done in our country. HIV was not an issue, but the illnesses associated with the immune-compromised state. While these patients found it difficult to get regular dialysis because of stigma, discrimination and cost, kidney transplant is the answer.

Whereas Dr Sanand Bag who performed the complex operation at Max Hospital Mohali said that traditionally HIV patients were not considered transplant candidates and any transplant in this group of patient was still experimental. This patient was bed- ridden, and was refused dialysis and surgery by many other hospitals due to HIV status and complex procedure. But it was heartening that he got transplant in our center and now was doing well off dialysis and could live his further life happily. Careful patient selection, coordinated transplant and infectious disease care, managing drug interactions and continuous monitoring & surveillance for infections were keys to success in such cases. Operating on HIV patients carried a significant risk of cross infection to healthcare providers, so universal precautions have to be taken throughout, Dr Bag maintained.

Speaking during occasion, Prof Sakhuja said that with effective antiviral medicines(HAART) and treatment facility being available for HIV, and continuous awareness by many NGOs and government agencies, more and more HIV patients were surviving for longer period and also maintain good health. This case has proven that HIV patients with kidney failure can undergo kidney transplant and lead a normal life.