Abstract: SA-PO1136
Keeping Kidney Transplant Patients Safe During the Global Measles Resurgence
Session Information
- Transplantation: Clinical - Infectious Diseases
October 24, 2026 | Location: Exhibit Hall A, Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Transplantation
- 2002 Transplantation: Clinical
Authors
- Richardson, Cathy, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, England, United Kingdom
- Bedford, Laura J A, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, England, United Kingdom
- David, Miruna Delia, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, England, United Kingdom
- Osman, Husam, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, England, United Kingdom
- Berry, Miriam, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, England, United Kingdom
Background
There has been a recent global resurgence of measles; the UK lost its measles elimination status in January 2026, and the US is at risk of the same due to ongoing nationwide outbreaks. Measles is one of the most contagious of all infectious diseases, for which no specific anti-viral therapy exists. It poses a particular danger to immunosuppressed patients who may become critically unwell if infected. Early administration of intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) post-exposure may provide some protection, but the therapeutic window is narrow; it is most effective if given within 72 hours.
Our renal transplant centre is one of the largest in the UK. Our city has also recorded the highest incidence of measles in the UK outside of London.
Methods
To reduce the risk posed by measles to our renal transplant patients, in May 2024 we instituted the following initiatives:
1. Screening for measles immunity in patients referred for transplant assessment. Non-immune patients are offered the measles vaccine before being activated on the waiting list.
2. Screening for measles immunity in post-transplant patients. This expedites access to prophylactic IVIG in non-immune patients.
Equivocal measles IgG results were interpreted as negative. Patients born in the UK before 1970 are considered naturally immune and were not screened.
Results
1. 159 prospective renal transplant candidates were tested for measles IgG between 1st August 2024 and 1st August 2025. 143 (90%) were seropositive, 15 (9%) were negative and 1 (<1%) was equivocal.
2. 251 post-transplant patients were tested for measles IgG between 1st May 2024 and 30th June 2024. 203 (81%) were seropositive, 32 (13%) were negative and 16 (6%) were equivocal.
Conclusion
In our large multi-ethnic transplant centre, 10% of prospective renal transplant candidates were not immune to measles at the time of assessment. This screening programme facilitated vaccination in this cohort of patients.
We also found that nearly 20% of prevalent transplant patients did not have current immunity to measles. Early identification of these vulnerable patients will expedite access to post-exposure IVIG within the therapeutic window.
This is one of the largest studes of measles immunity in renal transplant candidates and recipients, and demonstrates the value of a targeted screening programme in this group. These findings are particularly pertinent given the significant increase in measles cases in 2026.