Calcineurin inhibitor induced thrombotic microangiopathy is a rare but well recognized complication of a renal transplantation that occurs in 1% of the patients who are on tacrolimus immunosuppression. Among the other aetiological factors of the "de-novo" Thrombotic Microangiopathy (TMA), the condition especially has to be differentiated from an antibody mediated rejection, as both have different pathogenesis, therapeutic connotations and outcomes.We report a case of a middle aged female renal transplant recipient treated with tacrolimus, who developed localised thrombotic microangiopathy in the early post transplantation period. Despite the normal trough levels of tacrolimus, a diagnosis of "Tacrolimus induced TMA" was rendered after excluding other causes of the "de-novo" TMA, which included an antibody mediated rejection, a meticulous clinico-pathological correlation and serological studies. The treatment included the substitution of tacrolimus by rapamycin, with the subsequent normalization of the renal function. INTRODUCTIONPost renal transplant thrombotic microangiopathy (PT-TMA) is a "recurrent" or "denovo" ,"localized" or a "systemic" devastating disorder that, as per the USRDS data analysis, occurs with an incidence of 5-6 episodes per 1000 people years [1,2].Among the proposed aetiological factors, Calcineurin inhibitor induced TMA (CNI-TMA) is a rare but well documented cause of acute renal failure [3]. An early allograft biopsy with a prompt diagnosis of the condition, its distinction from an antibody mediated rejection and its management by drug substitution, plays a vital role in the allograft outcome.We report a case of localized tacrolimus associated TMA occurring in the early stage after renal transplantation. CASE REPORTA 52 year-old Caucasian female underwent a living, non-related, donor transplantation for ESRD. After an initial induction with basiliximab, the post transplant immunosuppression consisted of methylprednisolone (10 mg/day), mycophenolate mofetil (1g/ day) and tacrolimus (5 mg/day). A clinical improvement with good diuresis was achieved for 48 hours, following which the renal functions deteriorated, with a reduction in the urine output and peak serum creatinine levels of 3.8 mg/dl. The laboratory investigations (before dialysis) showed the following: haemoglobin -11.1 g/dl, platelets -1.64 lakhs/mm 3 , blood urea nitrogen -62 mg/dl, sodium -136 mEq/l, potassium -5.9 mEq/l, chloride -117 mEq/l, phosphate -4.9 mEq/l, uric acid -8.9 mg/dl, complement C3c-95mgm/dl, C4-25mgm/dl and lactate dehydrogenase -210 u/l. With a clinical suspicion of acute tubular necrosis/acute rejection, a renal biopsy was done, which revealed fibrin thrombi in the glomerular capillaries [Table/ Fig-1 A and B] and arterioles at the glomerular vascular pole with associated fibrinoid necrosis, in a focal and segmental fashion [Table/ Fig-2 A and B]. Some of the glomeruli exhibited tuft collapse and widening of the Bowman space. The proximal tubular epithelial cells showed isometric cytoplasmic vacuoliz...
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2025 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.