Although worldwide popularity of ABO incompatible renal transplant is increasing, however developing nations have their own limitations such as high cost, risk of antibody-mediated rejection and increased incidence for post-transplant infections. These transplants were complicated as there was a blood group mismatch among the recipients and donors. Despite all the hurdles, the kidney transplant team of Manipal Hospitals Jaipur successfully performed three ABO incompatible kidney transplantations. All patients are living an active healthy life with normal kidney function.

51-year-old woman became the donor for her 52-year-old husband. In this case the donor's blood group was AB+ and recipient's blood group was B+. In the second case Mrs. Abhilasha Soni, 38-year mother became the donor to her 18-year-old son. The donor's blood group was B+ and her son's (recipient) blood group was O+. Lastly, 39-year-old Mrs. Rajbala was donated kidney by her 57-year-old paternal aunt Mrs. Subesar in a heartwarming gesture. The blood group of the recipient was O+ and while the donor's blood group was B+.

All the patients were suffering from end-stage kidney issue and transplant was the last option. Since their health was deteriorating and they could not wait for cadaver transplant, their family members offered to become the donors to save their lives.

Sharing details on this rare kidney transplant, Dr. Jitendra Goswami & Dr. Alok Pandey, Nephrologist, Manipal Hospitals Jaipur said, "Kidney transplantation is the best form of Renal Replacement Therapy (RRT) for End-stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients. Only 10% of ESRD patients receive any form of RRT in India and only 2% undergo renal transplantation. Due to mismatch blood group approximately 35%, willing donors are rejected. This barrier can be removed with ABO incompatible (blood group mismatch) kidney transplantation. With an ABO incompatible kidney transplant, you receive medical treatment before and after your kidney transplant to lower antibody levels in your blood and reduce the risk of antibodies rejecting the donor's kidney."

"For removal of antibodies, we give special injection (Rituximab) and we do Cascade Plasma Exchange (Double Filtration Plasma Exchange), a process that filters the blood and removes harmful antibodies," said Dr. Ravi C Dara, Immunologist at Manipal Hospitals Jaipur.

"Long Term studies have shown that outcome of ABO incompatible renal transplant is almost similar to the ABO compatible transplant and risk of infection is also comparable. So, ABO incompatible renal transplant is a boon for CKD Patient especially in our country in view of increasing no. of ESRD potential & limited number of Kidney donors," said Dr. D R Dhawan & Dr. Jyoti Bansal, Urologist at Manipal Hospitals Jaipur.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. G. Karthihaivelan, Hospital Director, Manipal Hospitals Jaipur said, "Manipal Hospitals Jaipur is always at the fore when it comes to using innovative technology in healthcare. This is a great milestone and for the same I congratulate the nephrology department as the team of doctors displayed utmost commitment and dedication. With high standard of healthcare services and expert pool of doctors, we have touched many lives since the inception of Manipal Hospital Jaipur. At present, our Hospital has the finest state of the art infrastructure with advanced cutting edge technology in Rajasthan. This drives the hospital to deliver path-breaking care for patients on a day-to-day basis. We constantly endeavour to provide world class medical treatments to our patrons."