A new rule announced by US health officials on Tuesday allows people with HIV to receive kidney and liver transplants from donors who also have HIV.
This policy change, effective November 27, marks a significant shift in transplant procedures for individuals living with HIV, a move that experts say will reduce wait times for all patients by increasing the overall availability of organs.
Previously, organ transplants between HIV-positive donors and recipients were only permitted as part of research studies. This new rule removes that requirement, making it easier for people with HIV to access life-saving organ transplants. According to US Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, the rule expands the donor pool and improves outcomes for recipients with HIV.
Research has shown that organ transplants from HIV-positive donors are safe and effective. A study published last month in the New England Journal of Medicine followed 198 transplant recipients over four years, comparing those who received kidneys from HIV-positive donors with those who received kidneys from HIV-negative donors. The study found no significant differences in survival rates or organ rejection between the two groups.
The practice of using HIV-positive organs for transplant began in 2010 in South Africa, where initial studies demonstrated its safety. In the US, the practice was permitted in research settings starting in 2013 with the passage of the HIV Organ Policy Equity Act. The first successful transplant between a living donor with HIV and an HIV-positive recipient took place in 2019 at Johns Hopkins University.
Since then, over 500 kidney and liver transplants from HIV-positive donors have been performed in the US, but these procedures have been limited by stringent research protocols. By eliminating these restrictions, the new rule is expected to increase the availability of organs and reduce wait times for transplant patients. For those living with HIV, the wait for an organ transplant can be longer than for other patients, and this policy aims to address that gap.
Experts, including Christine Durand from Johns Hopkins, say this new rule not only advances medical care but also helps reduce the stigma associated with HIV. As treatments for HIV have evolved, the disease is now seen as manageable rather than a fatal condition, and this policy change reflects the progress made in both treatment and social acceptance.
With input from the Washington Post, Time, and the American Hospital Association.
