Our Work

People living with HIV (PLWH) who also need an organ transplant experience excellent outcomes with transplantation. Since the early 2000s, PLWH have received organ transplants (and these transplants are increasing every year). At the same time, PLWH on the waitlist have an increased risk of mortality, and less access to transplantation compared to HIV- waitlist candidates. Therefore, the long wait for a lifesaving transplant is disproportionately harmful to PLWH.

HIV-to-HIV kidney transplantation was successfully pioneered by Dr. Elmi Muller in South Africa with excellent results thus far. However, in the United States, the National Organ Transplant Act of 1984 banned use of HIV+ organs for transplantation. The law would have to change to allow HIV-HIV organ donation and transplantation.

A study of two large national registries suggested potential for 300-500 HIV+ donors annually, a substantial increase in the overall donor pool. With data showing that opening up the donor pool to include PLWH could save many lives, community organizations, advocacy groups, and transplant centers across the country worked together to change the laws preventing HOPE. In November 2013, the HOPE Act passed the House and Senate and was one of only 57 bills signed into law by President Barack Obama that year. 

The first HIV-HIV transplants in the U.S. took place in March of 2016.

Now, our team is working with Organ Procurement Organizations and transplant centers around the country to study the outcomes of HIV-HIV kidney and liver transplantation. Funded by an NIH grant, this work will help the transplant community learn more about the potential of HIV+ organ donors.