Early recurrence of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis as an unusual cause of primary kidney transplant malfunction

Bratisl Lek Listy. 2022;123(8):550-554. doi: 10.4149/BLL_2022_087.

Abstract

Recurrence of the primary disease is one of the most common causes of graft failure in the first decade after kidney transplantation. We present a case of a patient with an unusually rapid recurrence of focal segmental glomerulonephritis in the graft, the recognition of its occurrence was hampered by the primary graft affection and oligoanuria and by insignificant histological changes in the first two biopsy samples in the early post-transplant period, as well as by unawareness of the disease leading to terminal renal failure, as no renal biopsy was performed due to grade 3 obesity. Only worsening of hypoalbuminemia and finding of massive proteinuria despite oligoanuria were crucial for further management. Disease recurrence in the graft was confirmed by electron microscopy. However, complex targeted therapy did not result in restoration of graft function and decrease in proteinuria. This case history was aimed to draw attention to the knowledge of the importance of the primary disease confirmed by renal biopsy and early (so called pre-emptive) treatment in case of diseases with a high potential of recurrence (Fig. 7, Ref. 10). Text in PDF www.elis.sk Keywords: kidney transplantation, recurrence, minimal changes in glomeruli, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Chronic Disease
  • Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental* / etiology
  • Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic*
  • Kidney Glomerulus
  • Kidney Transplantation*
  • Proteinuria
  • Recurrence