Recurrent glomerular disease after kidney transplantation: An update of selected areas and the impact of protocol biopsy

Abstract

ABSTRACT:Recurrence of native kidney disease following kidney transplantation affects between 10% and 20% of patients, and accounts for up to 8% of graft failures. In a considerable number of recipients with transplant glomerulopathy, it is impossible to distinguish between recurrent and de novo types. An accurate estimate of the incidence of recurrence is difficult due to limitations in the diagnosis of recurrent glomerulonephritis. De novo glomerular lesions may be misclassified if histological confirmation of the patient's native kidney disease is lacking. Asymptomatic histological recurrence in renal allografts may be missed if protocol biopsies are not available. Studies based on protocol biopsy are pivotal to accurately estimate the incidence of recurrence. Many factors are known to influence recurrence of kidney disease after transplantation, including the type and severity of the original disease, age at onset, interval from onset to end-stage renal disease, and clinical course of the previous transplantation. Early recognition of recurrence is possible in several glomerular diseases. Factors such as the existence of circulating permeability factors, circulating urokinase receptor and anti-phospholipase A2 receptor antibody, as well as disorders of complement regulatory proteins like factor I mutation and factor H mutation factors are expected to be useful predictors of recurrence. Peculiar clinical course of atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome after kidney transplantation is an informative sign of recurrent glomerular disease. These factors play pivotal roles in the development of recurrence of certain types of glomerulopathies. Understanding the pathogenesis of recurrent glomerulonephritis is critical to optimize prevention as well as treat individual cases of recurrent glomerulonephritis. Subclinical recurrence of IgA nephropathy after kidney transplantation is well recognized. Only protocol biopsies of clinically silent recipient can provide the accurate prevalence of recurrent IgA nephropathy. The study of recurrent glomerulonephritis will contribute not only to improving long-term graft survival, but also to clarifying the pathogenesis of glomerulonephritis. Protocol biopsy is one the most effective methods for elucidating the pathogenesis of recurrent glomerulonephritis.

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“…Such a finding is consistent with those published by Morozumi and associates and Moroni and associates, who found that recurrence of native kidney disease after kidney transplant affects between 10% and 20% of patients and accounts for up to 8% of graft failures. 25,26 Regarding the frequency of recurrent glomerular disease in kidney allograft, we found that focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis are the most common recurrent diseases in the renal allograft with frequency of 10.5%. For focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, this rate is considered lower than recurrence rates reported by other studies, including Shimizu and associates 27 who reported recurrent focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in about 30% of studied recipients.…”

Immune‐mediated nephropathies in kidney transplants: recurrent or de novo diseases

“…Studies on recurrent disease are difficult because not all patients had native kidney biopsies for ESRD diagnosis and most centers perform graft biopsies only when there are abnormal clinical or laboratory features. Hence, reported incidences of recurrent disease are influenced by clinical practices and could over‐ or underestimate its true occurrence . In this regard, it may be impossible to differentiate between de novo and recurrent disease.…”

“…Hence, reported incidences of recurrent disease are influenced by clinical practices and could over-or underestimate its true occurrence. 6,7 In this regard, it may be impossible to differentiate between de novo and recurrent disease. Delaying txp until disease is inactive in cases of SLE or ANCA-mediated GN has been suggested and at our center we follow that practice with very low rates of recurrence of those diseases.…”

Innovative Perspective: Gadolinium-Free Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Long-Term Follow-Up after Kidney Transplantation

“…Protocol biopsy facilitates early diagnosis of de novo and recurrent kidney disease (Morozumi et al, 2014) and therefore one or sometimes multiple protocol biopsies several months to a year after kidney transplantation are performed in several programs. Specific indications for protocol biopsies have been proposed (Racusen, 2006).…”