RECURRENT IDIOPATHIC MEMBRANOUS GLOMERULONEPHRITIS

Abstract

Clinical and pathological findings in a patient with recurrent membranous glomerulonephritis following transplantation of an HL-A identical kidney are reported. Such a recurrence was previously reported only once, although membranous glomerulonephritis is a common cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults. This case confirms that membranous glomerulonephritis may occasionally recur following renal transplantation and demonstrates that immunofluroescence and EM studies may be necessary to distinguish recurrent membranous glomerulonephritis from the membranous changes frequently seen with chronic rejection. In light of the apparent low incidence of recurrent membranous glomerulonephritis, renal transplantation remains an excellent therapeutic option in this disease.