Treatments
ABO-Incompatible Kidney Transplant in India
Quick answer
An ABO-incompatible kidney transplant lets a person receive a kidney from a living relative with a different blood group. Special treatment lowers blood group antibodies before surgery. It suits patients with no matching donor in the family. Expect a longer stay in India than a standard transplant, often around two months.
Medically reviewed by The Curaventa Team · Last updated 2026-10-24
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At a glance
Cost of abo-incompatible kidney transplant in India
Published package prices range from $8,313 to $22,000 across 2 sources (latest retrieved 2026-10-23). The final figure depends on the hospital, room category, implants and length of stay; every quote we send is in writing from the hospital.
| Hospital / source | City | Price | Includes | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PACE Hospitals | Hyderabad | $8,313–$11,430 | 2026 | |
| Max Healthcare (Max Super Speciality Hospitals network) | Delhi NCR | $22,000 | retrieved 2026-10-23 |
Normally a kidney must come from a donor with a compatible blood group. In ABO-incompatible (ABOi) transplants, the recipient's anti-A or anti-B antibodies are reduced before surgery so the new kidney is not attacked straight away. This opens the door for many families who would otherwise have no suitable donor.
Preparation includes an antibody-lowering drug (usually rituximab) and sessions of plasmapheresis or immunoadsorption, which filter antibodies out of the blood. Antibody levels, called titres, are measured until they reach a safe target. Several Indian transplant centres run established ABOi programmes.
Who needs abo-incompatible kidney transplant
- Patients with kidney failure whose only willing relative has a mismatched blood group
- Recipients who cannot wait for a compatible deceased donor kidney
- Families where paired exchange is not available or not suitable
- Recipients with starting antibody titres low enough to be reduced safely
How it is done
- Baseline anti-A or anti-B antibody titres are measured in the recipient's blood.
- Rituximab is usually given a few weeks before surgery to reduce antibody-producing cells.
- Anti-rejection drugs are started some days before the transplant.
- Plasmapheresis or immunoadsorption sessions remove antibodies until titres reach target.
- The transplant is performed as a standard kidney transplant.
- Titres are checked closely after surgery, with extra sessions if they rise.
Before you travel to India
- Send the recipient's blood group and, if available, baseline anti-A or anti-B titres.
- Share donor and recipient workup, viral screening and tissue typing.
- Plan for a longer stay, as antibody removal starts before surgery.
- Carry relationship documents for legal approval.
Recovery and flying home
- Preparation in India before the operation can take a few weeks.
- The hospital stay after surgery is similar to a regular transplant, around one to two weeks.
- Antibody titres and kidney function are tested often in the first weeks.
- Patients usually remain in India for several weeks after surgery before flying home.
- Lifelong anti-rejection treatment and follow-up are needed.
Risks
- Antibody-mediated rejection if titres rise again
- Higher infection risk from stronger immune suppression
- Bleeding linked to plasmapheresis
- Reactions to rituximab or plasma products
- Standard surgical and transplant risks
Alternatives
- Paired kidney exchange with another family that has the opposite mismatch
- Waiting for a compatible deceased donor in the home country
- Continued dialysis
Conditions treated
Hospitals in India for abo-incompatible kidney transplant
- Medanta - The MedicityDelhi NCR
- AIG Hospitals, GachibowliHyderabad
- Aster MedcityKochi
- Artemis HospitalDelhi NCR
- Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital & Medical Research InstituteMumbai
- Indraprastha Apollo HospitalsDelhi NCR
- BLK-Max Super Speciality HospitalDelhi NCR
- Apollo Multispecialty Hospitals, KolkataKolkata
- Continental HospitalsHyderabad
Specialists
- Dr Arvinder Singh SoinMedanta - The Medicity
- Dr Prasun GhoshMedanta - The Medicity
Dr Prashant Vilas BhanguiMedanta - The Medicity- Dr Ashish ChaurasiaRuby Hall Clinic
Prof Mohamed RelaDr. Rela Institute & Medical Centre
Dr Gomathy NarasimhanDr. Rela Institute & Medical Centre
Frequently asked questions
What does ABO-incompatible mean?
It means the donor's blood group is not normally compatible with the recipient's. For example, an A donor and an O recipient. Special preparation makes the transplant possible.
What is a titre and why does it matter?
A titre measures the strength of blood group antibodies. High titres can attack the new kidney. Treatment lowers them to a safe level before surgery.
How many plasmapheresis sessions will I need?
It depends on your starting titre. Some patients need only a few, while others need more. The team tests titres after each session.
Do ABO-incompatible kidneys last as long as matched ones?
Many studies report good long-term results with experienced teams, though the early rejection and infection risks are somewhat higher. Your specialist explains how this applies to you. Careful follow-up matters.
Why does an international ABOi transplant need extra planning?
Preparation starts weeks before surgery, so the stay is longer. Visas and accommodation should cover the full period. Sending titre results early helps the team plan dates.
Sources
- Kidney Transplant Cost in Hyderabad, India - 2026 Guide - PACE Hospitals
- Max Healthcare International - Assured Best Cost For All Treatments
Medically reviewed by The Curaventa Team. Last updated 2026-10-24. General information, not medical advice. Medical editorial board · Editorial policy · How we get prices
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