Recurrent IgA Nephropathy After Kidney Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Immunoglobulin (Ig)A nephropathy is the most common primary glomerulonephritis worldwide, with a high recurrence rate after kidney transplantation. The aim of this study was to assess allograft survival, impact of recurrence on allograft function, and risk factors for post-transplant IgA recurrence. METHODS: We identified 104 patients with IgA nephropathy who underwent kidney transplantation at our center between 1993 and 2014. Fourteen patients underwent more than one allograft. RESULTS: IgA recurrence was documented in 23 (19%) allografts. Median time to recurrence was 6.75 years (interquartile range, 1.4-9.2 years). Twelve of the 23 recurrences were from living related donors (P = .07), and those with younger age at transplantation (37.7 ± 2.3 vs 44 ± 1.3, P = .05) were at higher risk of recurrence. Mean allograft survival was reduced in those with recurrence (6.5 ± 5.1 years) compared with those without recurrence (10.4 ± 7.5 years). At 6 years after transplant, allograft failure was documented in 52% of the recurrence group compared with 10% in the non-recurrence group (P = .002). CONCLUSIONS: IgA recurrence after transplant is an important cause of allograft loss. Living related donors and younger age at transplantation are associated with high recurrence rate. Close monitoring and treatment of recurrence are crucial.

Impact of acute rejection on kidney allograft outcomes in recipients on rapid steroid withdrawal.

Background. Our aim was to study the impact of clinical acute rejection (CR) and subclinical rejection (SR) on outcomes in kidney transplant recipients treated with rapid steroid withdrawal (RSW). Methods. All patients who received a living or deceased donor kidney transplant and were treated with RSW were included. The primary outcome was death-censored graft survival. Biopsies with Banff borderline changes were included with the rejection groups. Results. 457 kidney transplant recipients treated with RSW were included; 46 (10%) experienced SR, and 36 (7.8%) had CR. Mean HLA mismatch was significantly higher in the CR group. The Banff grade of rejection was higher in the CR group. There was a larger proportion of patients in both rejection groups with the combination of IFTA and persistent inflammation on the follow-up protocol biopsy done at 1 year. The estimated 5-year death-censored graft survival was 81% in SR, 78% in CR, and 97% in the control group (P < .0001). Significant differences were observed in allograft survival between the CR and control group (HR 9.06, 95% CI 3.39-24.2) and between the SR and control group (HR 4.22, 95% CI 1.30-13.7). Conclusion. Both SR and CR are associated with an inferior graft survival in recipients on RSW.