Retransplantation after kidney graft loss due to polyoma BK virus nephropathy: successful outcome without original allograft nephrectomy

Fabrizio Ginevri, Nadia Pastorino, Riccardo de Santis, Iris Fontana, Angela Sementa, Giuseppe Losurdo, Angelo Santopietro, Francesco Perfumo, Franco Locatelli, Rita Maccario, Alberta Azzi, Patrizia Comoli

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

Abstract

Although polyoma BK virus (BKV)-associated interstitial nephritis has received increasing attention because of its clinical relevance in kidney allograft recipients, data on risk for repeated renal transplantation after BKV-related allograft loss are limited, and the need to perform an original graft nephrectomy is the object of debate. A 15-year-old boy with renal failure secondary to Alport's syndrome underwent renal transplantation. His posttransplantation course was complicated by acute rejection episodes and the presence of circulating anti-glomerular basement membrane antibodies that required aggressive immunosuppressive treatment. Graft failure caused by BKV-associated interstitial nephropathy occurred despite a reduction in immunosuppression and cidofovir treatment. The patient received a second transplant without an original graft nephrectomy, and 15 months after retransplantation, he persists with optimal graft function and is constantly BKV DNA negative in both urine and plasma. Our report indicates that an original allograft nephrectomy may not be mandatory for successful retransplantation after graft loss caused by BKV nephropathy.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)821-825
Number of pages5
JournalAmerican Journal of Kidney Diseases
Volume42
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2003

Keywords

  • polyoma BK virus (BKV) infection
  • retransplantation
  • pediatric kidney transplantation
  • polyoma BKV-associated nephropathy

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Retransplantation after kidney graft loss due to polyoma BK virus nephropathy: successful outcome without original allograft nephrectomy'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this