Recurrent Glomerulonephritis in the Kidney Allograft

Abstract

Renal transplantation is the preferred form of renal replacement therapy in patients who develop end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Among the diverse etiologies of ESKD, glomerulonephritis is the third most common cause, behind hypertensive and diabetic kidney disease. Although efforts to prolong graft survival have improved over time with the advent of novel immunosuppression, recurrent glomerulonephritis remains a major threat to renal allograft survival despite concomitant immunosuppression. As a result, clinical expertise, early diagnosis and intervention will help identify recurrent disease and facilitate prompt treatment, thus minimizing graft loss, resulting in improved outcomes. In this review, we highlight the clinicopathologcal characteristics of certain glomerular diseases that recur in the renal allograft.

Keywords: Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis; IgA nephropathy; glomerulonephritis; kidney allograft; lupus nephritis; membranoproliferative; membranous nephropathy; monoclonal gammopathy.