Recurrence of IgA nephropathy 17 months after renal transplantation in the allograft transmitted thin basement membrane disease (TBMD) from donor

Recurrence of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) following renal transplantation has been described in 40-50% of such patients and it usually has a good outcome. We present the case of a 20-yr-old woman with IgAN who developed end-stage renal failure in 1995. In November 1996, she received a kidney from a living-related donor and was treated with tacrolimus, azathioprine and steroids. Zero- and one-hour biopsies were performed, which revealed minor glomerular abnormalities in light microscopy, thin basement membrane disease (TBMD) in electron microscopy. Eight months later she developed microscopic hematuria and proteinuria; however, the graft function was normal. Renal biopsy revealed an IgAN that is thought to be due to recurrence of the original disease.