Abstract
Introduction: The goal of induction therapy in developing countries should be prevention
of acute rejection with access to immunosuppressive therapy on a cost-effective basis for
maintaining allograft function.
Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of acute rejection in the
post-transplant period, on induction using single low dose thymoglobulin.
Patients and Methods: We conducted a prospective study of 98 renal transplant recipients to
see the effectiveness of single dose induction therapy with thymoglobulin.
Results: The incidence of biopsy proven acute cellular rejection (ACR) was 8.16% in patients
receiving thymoglobulin. The incidence of infection was 24.49%. We found a significant
lymphocyte depletion in the immediate post-transplant period in thymoglobulin patients,
with a mean of 500/µL in our cohort, for 4 to 10 post-operative days.
Conclusion: This prospective study favours the administration of low single dose
thymoglobulin as an effective induction agent with low rejection rates and cost effectiveness
in resource poor settings.