HIV Organ Transplants Now Approved for Donors and Recipients with HIV in the U.S.

In a groundbreaking move, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has approved kidney and liver transplants between donors and recipients who both have HIV. This policy change is expected to significantly reduce organ transplant wait times for all patients and improve access to life-saving procedures for those living with HIV. Previously, these transplants were only permitted under strict research protocols, limiting their availability.

This decision reflects advancements in HIV treatment, transforming the virus from a life-threatening condition into a manageable chronic illness. Studies, including one from Johns Hopkins University, demonstrated that outcomes for kidney transplants between HIV-positive donors and recipients are as safe and effective as transplants involving HIV-negative donors. Dr. Christine Durand, a lead researcher, emphasized that "patient survival was very high in both groups, and kidney survival was excellent," reinforcing the safety and efficacy of this practice.

The policy change traces its roots back to pioneering work in South Africa, where successful HIV-to-HIV organ transplants were first performed in 2010. The U.S. followed suit with the HIV Organ Policy Equity Act in 2013, allowing such transplants within research settings. Over 500 transplants have since been conducted under these studies, with the first successful living donor kidney transplant performed at Johns Hopkins in 2019. The new rule removes prior research-only restrictions, paving the way for broader adoption by transplant centers nationwide.

Experts predict that this expanded donor pool will benefit not only HIV-positive patients but also those without HIV. By increasing the overall number of available organs, wait times are expected to decrease across the board. On the East Coast, for instance, wait lists can extend from two to five years. This new policy could substantially shorten these periods, offering hope to thousands of patients.

Looking ahead, the focus may shift to transplants involving other organs such as hearts and lungs. The HHS has opened a public comment period to assess potential future protocols. This landmark step not only addresses a critical healthcare need but also challenges longstanding stigmas around HIV, highlighting the progress made in both medical science and societal acceptance.