Treatment of recurrent, post-kidney transplant membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis with plasmapheresis and rituximab: A case report and literature review

Clin Nephrol. 2019 Jan;91(1):52-58. doi: 10.5414/CN109451.

Abstract

Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis is known to recur after kidney transplantation and may lead to allograft loss. Although an optimal treatment has not been determined, B-cell targeted therapies are now increasingly used as first-line agents, based on growing data showing antibodies as key players in the pathogenesis of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. Here, we report a case of recurrent immune complex-mediated membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis 3 years after a living-donor kidney transplant. Treatment with plasmapheresis and rituximab resulted in immediate and sustained improvement in allograft function. .

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Glomerulonephritis, Membranoproliferative / etiology
  • Glomerulonephritis, Membranoproliferative / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors / therapeutic use*
  • Kidney Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Middle Aged
  • Plasmapheresis / methods*
  • Recurrence
  • Rituximab / therapeutic use*
  • Transplantation, Homologous
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Immunologic Factors
  • Rituximab