Efficacy of leflunomide in the treatment of BK virus-associated nephropathy in transplant kidney / 医学研究生学报

ABSTRACT

Objective BK virus-associated nephropathy ( BKVAN) after kidney transplantation is a key factor that influence the prognosis of transplant kidney .To our knowledge , it is believed to be associated with immune suppression .We observed the cura-tive effect and influencing factorsof anti-rejection scheme that Leflunomide was administered instead of Mycophenolate Mofetil ( MMF) on transplant kidney BKVAN .. Methods This study included 15 kidney transplant recipients with pathologically confirmed BKVAN in Nanjing General Hospital of Nanjing Military Region form March 2007 to March 2013 .Leflunomide was administered instead of Myco-phenolate Mofetil ( MMF) .Serum creatinine level , renal allograft loss rate and side effects of leflunomide were monitored after medica-tion switch.The patients were divided into two groups , which were renal allograft loss group and renal allograft survival group , for fur-ther analyses . The differences between each groups in clinical characteristics as well as histochemical features of the transplanted kidneys were analyzed to determine the cause of renal allograft loss in patients with BKVAN . Results Six patients experienced renal al-lograft loss after switching to leflunomide and needed hemodialysis , and 9 patients had stable renal allograft function , renal allograft loss rate was 40.0%.Hyperuricemia occurred in 8 patients in the period before the medication switch and in 5 patients after the switch;a decrease in blood white cell orplateletcount was found in 2 patients during both periods;an increase in Alanine aminotransferase ( ALT) level occurred in one patient after the medication switch .There were no statistically significant differences in any of the above parame-ters before and after the medication switch.Compared to allograft survival group, serum creatinine level[(1.80 ±0.53)mg/dL vs (2.74 ±0.58)mg/dL, P=0.007], the number of B lymphocytes [(206.44 ±144.96) vs (439.67 ±267.77), P=0.047] and CD68[(588.44 ±271.80) vs (944.67 ±259.32), P=0.025] in renal allograft tissue were significantly higherin the allograft loss group. ConclusionLeflunomide is a safe and effective medication for BKVAN .Patients with significantly increased serum creatinine level might have a poorer prognosis .Significantly increased B lymphocytes and CD 68 cells in renal allograft tissue might indicate a poor prognosis.