Comparison of efficacy of induction therapy in low immunologic risk African-American kidney transplant recipients

African-Americans (AA) have higher acute rejection rates and poorer long-term graft survival rates when compared with non-AA. It is yet to be demonstrated that the type of induction therapy modifies outcomes in this 'high-risk' population. This retrospective analysis compares the efficacy of induction therapy [antilymphocyte antibodies (ALA) versus interleukin-2 receptor antagonists (IL-2RA)] in the AA population. Some 189 AAs were included. There was no difference in acute rejection at one year between the groups (ALA (12%) or IL-2RA (12%), P = 0.89). Type of induction therapy had no significant effect on death-censored (P = 0.61) or uncensored graft survival (P = 0.32). There was no difference between CMV or BK virus infections between the groups (P = 0.14 and 0.94 respectively). Type of induction therapy does not appear to affect acute rejection rates or long-term graft survival in low-risk AA kidney transplant recipients.