About

Dr. Suayp Oygen is a physician with extensive experience in internal medicine, rheumatology, and nephrology. He earned his medical degree from Inonu University School of Medicine in Malatya, Turkey, and completed his Internal Medicine Residency at Hamidiye Sisli Etfal Research and Training Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. He has undergone specialized training in Rheumatology at Akdeniz University and Nephrology at Tulane University School of Medicine. Dr. Oygen has served in various clinical and academic roles across Turkey and the United States, including as a transplant nephrology fellow at Tulane and a clinical adjudicator for the CRIC study. His medical expertise spans autoimmune disorders, hemodialysis, chronic kidney disease, and Kidney Transplantation. He is a published researcher with contributions to numerous peer-reviewed journals and international medical congresses. Dr. Oygen is an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Society of Nephrology, American Medical Association, Turkish Rheumatology Society, and Society of Transplantation. Beyond medicine, he has a strong interest in outdoor sports and psychology, and he is fluent in English and Turkish.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Internal medicine
• Urology
• Virology
• Gastroenterology
• Pathology
• Immunology
• Family medicine
• Dermatology
• Intensive care medicine
• Endocrinology
• Surgery

Selected publications

• Deceased Organ Donor HTLV Screening Practices Postelimination of Universal Screening in the United States

  Transplantation Direct · 2024

  • Medicine
  • Virology
  • Family medicine

  Background: In the United States, universal screening for human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV) in deceased organ donors was discontinued in 2009. Since then, the transplant guideline suggests considering targeted screening. However, the outcomes of this change in HTLV screening have not been evaluated. Methods: Using the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network database between 2010 and 2022, we analyzed the HTLV antibody screening frequency and seroprevalence in potential deceased organ donors and their correlations with HTLV infection risks, including race and high-risk behaviors for blood-borne pathogen infection. Although targeted screening has not been established for HTLV, we hypothesized that screening rates should correlate with the proportions of donors with infection risk if screening is targeted. We also evaluated the organ utilization of HTLV-seropositive donors. Results: < 0.001). However, HTLV-1 infection was not attributed as the cause of nonrecovery except for only 1 HTLV-seropositive donor. Conclusions: HTLV screening practices varied across the United States. Our findings suggest that targeted screening was not performed after the elimination of universal screening.

  PublisherDOI

• A Case of Recovery of Native Kidney Function Years after Simultaneous Liver-Kidney Transplant

  Journal of the American Society of Nephrology · 2024 · 1 citations

  • Medicine
  • Urology
  • Intensive care medicine

  Introduction: Simultaneous Liver-Kidney (SLK) transplantation is often considered in End Stage Liver Disease (ESLD) patients with significant renal dysfunction. Prior to the implementation of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network’s (OPTN) 2017 policy on SLK allocation, criteria were variable and of particular concern was the potential recovery of native renal function following SLK. Here we describe a case of a patient who underwent an SLK transplant and was found to have native renal recovery eight years later. Case Description: A 45-year-old female with ESLD due to autoimmune hepatitis who underwent liver transplant in 2009 with subsequent failure and resulting hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) followed by SLK in 2015 presented to the hospital after unintentional acetaminophen overdose complicated by acute kidney injury (AKI). Ultrasound of her kidney graft showed severe atrophy with a lack of renal cortex blood flow despite patent vessels. She briefly required dialysis for uremia followed by rapid renal recovery. A nuclear medicine (NM) study using Tc99m MAG3 was later performed which found functioning native kidneys with minimal activity in the kidney graft. Immunosuppression decisions were deferred to the liver transplant service in the setting of kidney graft loss. Discussion: Native renal recovery following SLK is a known phenomenon particularly in patients with HRS. NM studies are more commonly done in the post-SLK period and are not usually considered years after SLK. This case features a patient who received an SLK prior to the 2017 SLK policy updates and who was found eight years later to have renal graft loss with recovery of native renal function. Reviewing this patient’s pre-transplant data shows she would not have been an SLK candidate under current criteria. This case illustrates the importance of careful policy decisions regarding SLK allocation.

  PublisherDOI

• Belatacept Versus Tacrolimus for Kidney Transplant Recipients of Deceased Donors With Acute Kidney Injury: US National Database Study

  Transplantation · 2024 · 6 citations

  • Medicine
  • Urology
  • Internal medicine

  BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether kidney grafts from deceased donors with acute kidney injury (AKI) are more vulnerable to calcineurin inhibitor nephrotoxicity, and whether de novo use of belatacept is more beneficial than tacrolimus for recipients of these types of kidney transplants. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study using the US Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network database, we created 1:4 matches with highly similar characteristics for recipients of AKI-donor kidneys receiving belatacept versus tacrolimus for initial maintenance immunosuppression and compared outcomes for graft function, patient and graft survival, and rejection. RESULTS: The matched cohort consisted of 567 and 2268 recipients administered belatacept and tacrolimus, respectively. Posttransplant estimated glomerular filtration rate was significantly higher in the belatacept group at 6 mo (58.2 ± 24.2 versus 54.6 ± 21.6 mL/min/1.73 m 2 , P < 0.001); however, the between-group difference did not reach statistical significance at 12 mo (57.2 ± 24.3 versus 55.7 ± 22.2 mL/min/1.73 m 2 , P = 0.057). Median follow-up periods were 3.2 and 3.1 y for patient and graft survival, respectively. There were no significant differences between belatacept versus tacrolimus for mortality (hazard ratio 1.18 [95% confidence interval, 0.95-1.47], P = 0.14) or death-censored graft failure (hazard ratio 1.17 [0.85-1.61], P = 0.33). Rejection rate within 12 mo was significantly higher in the belatacept group (13% versus 7%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In this matched cohort study, initial use of belatacept for AKI-donor kidney recipients was associated with small benefits in early graft function when compared with tacrolimus. Although rejection risk was significantly higher in recipients administered belatacept, patient and graft survival were not significantly different between groups.

  PublisherDOI

• Kidney Transplant Outcomes in Amyloidosis: US National Database Study

  Transplantation · 2024 · 4 citations

  • Medicine
  • Internal medicine
  • Gastroenterology

  BACKGROUND: We aimed to assess contemporary transplant outcomes among kidney recipients with amyloidosis, as the treatment and prognosis of amyloidosis have shown improvement over time. METHODS: Using the US Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network database, we initially evaluated the changes in patient and graft survival among kidney recipients with amyloidosis from 2002 to 2021. We then compared transplant outcomes between recipients with amyloidosis versus those with diabetic and nondiabetic causes of kidney failure, creating 1:4 matches with highly similar characteristics separately for deceased donor kidney transplant (DDKT) and living donor kidney transplant (LDKT) during the last decade (2012-2021). RESULTS: We identified 643 kidney recipients with amyloidosis during 2002-2021. Patient and death-censored graft survival improved over time. In the matching analysis for 207 DDKT and 166 LDKT recipients with amyloidosis during 2012-2021, patient survival was not significantly different between amyloidosis and diabetes groups in both DDKT (log-rank, P = 0.057) and LDKT ( P = 0.99). Compared with the nondiabetes group, patient survival in the amyloidosis group was not significantly different for DDKTs ( P = 0.56) but was significantly lower for LDKTs ( P = 0.04). Death-censored graft failure risk was not significantly different between amyloidosis and diabetes or nondiabetes groups for both DDKTs ( P = 0.78 and 0.75) and LDKTs ( P = 0.40 and 0.24). CONCLUSIONS: In this well-matched cohort study, we found no significant differences in patient and graft survival between kidney recipients with amyloidosis and those with diabetes. Similarly, these outcomes were not significantly different between those with amyloidosis versus nondiabetic causes, except for patient survival of LDKT recipients.

  PublisherDOI

• An Atypical Case of Post-transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder of the Bladder in a Kidney Transplant Recipient

  Journal of the American Society of Nephrology · 2024 · 1 citations

  • Medicine
  • Urology
  • Immunology

  Introduction: Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLDs) represents a spectrum of abnormal lymphoid or plasma cell proliferations that arise in individuals receiving chronic immunosuppression for solid organ transplantation. PTLD encompasses a spectrum of manifestations from benign polyclonal lymphoproliferation to fully developed lymphomas. Case Description: We present a case of a 50-year-old female with ESRD and history of two kidney transplants. The first transplant was from a living unrelated donor in 2003; graft loss occurred five years later due to pulmonary renal syndrome caused by p-ANCA microscopic polyangiitis. The second transplant in 2012 was from a deceased donor. Both transplants were complicated by recurrent ESBL E. coli UTIs requiring IV ertapenem and bilateral native nephrectomies in 2014. Her kidney function remained stable while on Azathioprine 100 mg, prednisone 5mg and tacrolimus 3mg twice daily for immunosuppression after the second transplant for 8 years. In April 2020, she presents with gross hematuria. Renal ultrasound reveals an irregular hypoechoic mass with vascularity within the bladder. She subsequently underwent a cystoscopy showing 3 masses: 8cm, 5cm and 6cm – the 5cm mass was resected. Pathology revealed PTLD (monomorphic subtype, EBV-, DLBCL GCB). The MIB1=70%. cMYC was expressed on 30-40% of cells and BCL2 and BCL6 were expressed in most tumor cells. The sample also stained strongly for CD10 and CD20. Therefore, she did not have a double expressor or double hit lymphoma. She was treated with weekly rituximab for 4 weeks and 4 cycles of rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP). Immunosuppression was decreased. A repeat cystoscopy and CT abdomen showed resolution of lesions in the bladder. Discussion: PTLD is a serious complication after solid organ transplantation. Risk factors for developing PTLD include Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, recipient age, transplanted organ, type of immunosuppression, and genetics. PTLD has a reported incidence of 1-5% in kidney transplant recipients. Outcomes following a diagnosis of PTLD can vary, with 5- and 10-year survival rates of 53% and 45% respectively. Although PTLD can happen in almost every organ system in the body, occurrence in urinary bladder is very rare.

  PublisherDOI

• Kaposi Sarcoma in a Nonadherent Transplant Patient

  Journal of the American Society of Nephrology · 2024 · 1 citations

  • Medicine
  • Virology
  • Dermatology

  Introduction: Kaposi Sarcoma (KS) is an angioproliferative cancer caused by human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8). Most cases of post-transplant KS arise after HHV-8 reactivation triggered by immunosuppression with 60-times higher risk of KS in solid organ transplant recipients than the general population. We present a kidney transplant patient who develops KS shortly after transplant. Case Description: 53-year-old Somali man with end-stage renal disease due to diabetic nephropathy underwent kidney transplant with induction with thymoglobulin, and maintained on belatacept, mycophenolate sodium (MPS), and prednisone. Acute antibody-mediated rejection and Banff IIA acute cellular rejection is found four months after transplant due to non-adherence with belatacept infusions and treated with thymoglobulin, steroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, and therapeutic plasma exchange. Belatacept was subsequently switched to tacrolimus. He develops lymphadenopathy and a core biopsy of his axillary lymph nodes shows reactive lymphoid tissue. He has worsening disseminated rash two months later with initial rash noticed one month post-transplant. Biopsy of skin lesions shows KS. HHV-8 was checked and found to be 162,000 copies/ml. HIV was negative. Prior lymph node biopsy was found without features of KS and negative staining for HHV-8. MPS was switched to everolimus, a mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor (mTORi), with regression of KS skin lesions. His graft function remained stable with serum creatinine around 1.5 mg/dL. Discussion: This patient developed progression KS despite nonadherence to immunosuppression which then worsened after treatment for rejection. Management of post-transplant KS focuses on reducing immunosuppression, switching to mTORi, and/or chemotherapy. In one study, conversion to mTORi and reducing immunosuppression induced response in over 80% of patients. Chemotherapy is usually reserved for cases of extensive KS and best understood in AIDS-related KS. We were able to control KS by switching to an mTORi.

  PublisherDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Divya Raghavan

  University of Utah

  9 shared

• Isaac E. Hall

  University of Utah

  9 shared

• Miklos Z. Molnar

  9 shared

• Sarah Gilligan

  5 shared

• Duha A. Jweehan

  5 shared

• Veli Yazısız

  Akdeniz University

  5 shared

• Duha A. Jweehan

  4 shared

• Junji Yamauchi

  National Center for Global Health and Medicine

  4 shared

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