What question did this study set out to answer?

To assess the risk of invasive fungal infection in kidney transplant recipients receiving belatacept versus tacrolimus.

January 14, 2026Open Access

P-2126. De novo belatacept-based immunosuppression is not associated with increased risk for invasive fungal infection in kidney transplant recipients

Key Points

To assess the risk of invasive fungal infection in kidney transplant recipients receiving belatacept versus tacrolimus.
Retrospective propensity-matched study
Adult HIV-negative kidney transplant recipients analyzed
Matched for sex, donor type, age, HLA mismatch, and diabetes
Invasive fungal infections identified via ICD codes and chart review
Clinical characteristics compared using Wilcoxon Rank and Fisher Exact tests.
4.8% of belatacept-treated KTR had proven invasive fungal infection compared to 5.8% in tacrolimus group (p=0.713)
Median time to invasive fungal infection was comparable: 370 days (belatacept) vs 359 days (tacrolimus) (p=0.48)
Event rates were 1.09 per 100-person years in both groups
Types of invasive fungal infections included candidiasis, cryptococcosis, and aspergillosis in both groups
Death rates among patients with invasive fungal infections were 21% in belatacept group vs 47.1% in tacrolimus group (p=0.258).

Abstract

Abstract Background Belatacept is a selective co-stimulation blocker associated with improved long-term outcomes in kidney transplant recipients (KTR). The impact of belatacept on risk of invasive fungal infection (IFI) in KTR remains unclear, with existing data limited to small case series and case reports.TableClinical Characteristics of the Study CohortFigureInvasive Fungal Infections in Kidney Transplant Recipients Methods We conducted a retrospective propensity-matched study of adult HIV-negative KTR transplanted at our center between 2016-2020 who received de-novo belatacept- or tacrolimus-based immunosuppression. Matching variables included sex, donor type, age at transplant, HLA mismatch, and diabetes as cause of kidney failure. Data was extracted from the clinical data warehouse. IFI was identified via ICD codes and confirmed by chart review using EORTC/MSGERC definitions. Clinical characteristics were compared using Wilcoxon Rank and Fisher Exact tests. Time to IFI was evaluated with Kaplan Meier curves log-rank testing. Results A total of 293 belatacept- and 293 tacrolimus-treated KTR were compared. Proven IFI occurred in 14 (4.8%) belatacept- and 17 (5.8%) tacrolimus-treated KTR (p=0.713, Table). Median time to IFI was 370 days (IQR 122, 555) vs 359-days (IQR 225,979), respectively (p=0.48). Event rates were 1.09 per 100-person years in both groups. IFI in belatacept patients included invasive candidiasis (N=6), cryptococcosis (N=4), invasive aspergillosis (N=2), Pneumocystis pneumonia (N=1), and non-speciated mold causing invasive fungal sinusitis (N=1). IFI in the tacrolimus group included invasive candidiasis (N=5), invasive aspergillosis (N=5, including 1 with Paecilomyces coinfection), cryptococcosis (N=5), Acrophilaophora brain abscess (N=1), and non-speciated mold causing invasive sinopulmonary fungal infection (N=1) (Figure). Death occurred in 3/14 (21%) belatacept vs 8/17 (47.1%) tacrolimus patients with IFI (p=0.258). Conclusion De-novo belatacept-based immunosuppression was not associated with increased risk of IFI compared to tacrolimus. These findings suggest routine antifungal prophylaxis is not indicated in KTR receiving de-novo belatacept-based immunosuppression. Disclosures Christian P. Larsen, MD, PhD, Bristol-Myers Squibb: Advisor/Consultant|CareDx: Advisor/Consultant|Eledon: Advisor/Consultant

P-2126. De novo belatacept-based immunosuppression is not associated with increased risk for invasive fungal infection in kidney transplant recipients

Key Points

Abstract

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