Improving kidney transplants between HIV-positive patients in South Africa
Official title: Maximizing the success of HIV+ to HIV+ kidney transplantation in South Africa
Funded at University of Cape Town · NIH-10840812 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how well kidney transplants work for people living with HIV, especially focusing on their health and the chances of their new kidney being accepted, to help improve transplant services for those in need in South Africa.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Cape Town NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rondebosch, South Africa) |
| Project start | April 6, 2020 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $159,840 |
| NIH project number | 5U01AI152153-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10840812 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are HIV-positive individuals in need of a kidney transplant.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not HIV-positive or those who do not require a kidney transplant may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the outcomes of kidney transplants between HIV-positive patients, focusing on patient and graft survival rates. It aims to understand how immune modulators affect the HIV latent viral reservoir, which is crucial for finding a cure for HIV. The study also examines the risk of organ rejection in these patients and seeks to enhance transplantation services in underserved areas of South Africa. By collaborating with experts in HIV and transplantation, the research aims to improve clinical practices and patient outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer and more effective kidney transplants for HIV-positive patients, improving their quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown comparable survival rates for HIV-positive kidney transplant recipients, indicating a promising approach in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Cape Town
Rondebosch, South Africa Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Muller, Elmi — University of Cape Town
- Study coordinator: Muller, Elmi
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Strategies for HIV-to-HIV kidney transplants to increase organ donations
This project looks at making HIV-to-HIV kidney transplantation more common to help people with HIV get transplants faster by boosting organ donation and changing practice.
-
Biomarker-guided Immunosuppression in Kidney Transplant Patients
A multicenter study in kidney transplant recipients is testing whether a biomarker score from HLA-DR/DQ can guide changes in immunosuppression to reduce rejection risk and drug toxicity.
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Helping the immune system accept a donated kidney in patients without prior sensitization
This project will try giving specially treated donor B cells alongside immune-sparing medicines to teach the immune systems of kidney transplant patients without prior antibodies to accept the new kidney.
-
Lowering donor-specific antibodies in sensitized kidney transplant patients
This project works to reduce harmful donor-specific antibodies in people who are sensitized and need a kidney transplant so their new organ lasts longer.
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Reducing geographic disparities in kidney transplant access with AI and operations research
Aiming to use AI and operations research to make kidney transplant access more fair across different regions in the U.S.
-
Centralized patient coaching to boost live donor kidney transplantation
A US-wide program trains patients, caregivers, and their networks with coaching to help them pursue living donor kidney transplantation.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.