Low Dose Rabbit Anti-Thymocyte Globulin as an Induction immunosuppression in High-Risk Renal Transplant Recipients

High immunologic risk recipients pose a major challenge in transplantation. It is associated with early acute rejection post-transplantation and leads to decrease patient and graft survival. The need for effective immunosuppression early post-transplantation has resulted in emerging of induction protocols. Biologic agents used for induction are classified to monoclonal and polyclonal which are either depletive or non-depletive antibody therapies. Choosing the best agent and optimal dose remains a controversial issue and depends on many factors including the proper assessment of the immunologic risk, efficacy and safety of the used agent. There is no consensus for the optimal agent used as induction immunosuppression in kidney transplantation. rATG use is associated with decreased incidence of delayed graft function and acute rejection episodes.