Recurrent proliferative glomerulonephritis with monoclonal immunoglobulin G deposits leads to rapid graft loss after kidney transplantation: a case report

CEN Case Rep. 2014 Nov;3(2):139-144. doi: 10.1007/s13730-013-0104-z. Epub 2013 Dec 8.

Abstract

We present a case of recurrent proliferative glomerulonephritis with monoclonal immunoglobulin G (IgG) deposits (PGNMID) that progressed rapidly to allograft failure. A 56-year-old man had progressed to end-stage renal failure within 1 year after the diagnosis of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) by kidney biopsy. He underwent living donor kidney transplantation from his brother 6 months later. Serial allograft biopsies revealed early glomerular deposition of IgG, C1q, and C3 at post-operative day 26, and gradual progression of the glomerular deposition and histology of glomerulonephritis. Several immunosuppressive therapies did not prevent proteinuria, microhematuria, and graft dysfunction, and the patient returned to hemodialysis at 7 months after transplantation. Retrospectively, we demonstrated monoclonal IgG3κ deposition in the native and allograft kidney, and the patient was diagnosed with recurrent PGNMID. The serial graft biopsies revealed the pathological details of the progression of PGNMID. This is a rare case of PGNMID that recurred and progressed rapidly to graft failure after kidney transplantation.

Keywords: Kidney transplantation; Proliferative glomerulonephritis with monoclonal IgG deposits (PGNMID); Recurrent glomerular disease.