Improved XXXX and graft survival after treatment of acute rejections of cadaveric renal allografts with rabbit antithymocyte globulin.

@entity1 @entity229 @entity281
In a prospective randomized trial, we compared the effectiveness of rabbit antithymocyte globulin (RATG) in the treatment of acute renal allograft rejection with the results of treatment by high oral doses of @entity229 . Fifty recipients of cadaveric kidneys were included in each group. In the RATG group, the @entity229 dose was not increased and a dose-by-rosette protocol was used to keep T cell levels between 50 and 150/mm. The three-month and one-year graft survival rates in the RATG group were 84% and 78%, and were significantly higher than those in the @entity229 group (64% and 50%). A significant difference in @entity1 survival could also be detected. In the RATG group the three-months and one-year @entity1 survival rates were 100% and 98%, and @entity1 survival rates in the @entity229 group were 91% and 84%, respectively. The percentage of second rejections was higher in the @entity229 group and 70% of these @entity1 showed a good response to subsequent RATG treatment. Renal function after six months was similar in both groups. No serious side effects were encountered in the RATG group. The incidence of @entity281 was the same in both groups. Treatment of acute rejections with RATG is preferable to @entity229 treatment. It improves long-term graft and @entity1 survival and is steroid-sparing.
