[Cadaveric renal transplantation for Goodpasture's syndrome: a case report]

Abstract

A 19-year-old man with a history of histologically-proven Goodpasture's syndrome (hemoptysis, rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, and positive anti-glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) antibody) was maintained on hemodialysis for 21 months. After steroid pulse therapy and plasmapheresis, his anti-GBM antibody disappeared. His stable condition on dialysis and a session of plasmapheresis prior to surgery allowed him to undergo cadaveric renal transplantation from a 34-year-old man. The blood type was identical (group A and Rh (+)), and there was 1 and 0 mismatch of HLA class 1 and 2, respectively. The initial immunosuppressants included cyclosporine, methylprednisolone, mizoribine, azathioprine, and anti-lymphocyte globulin (ALG). The transplanted kidney regained function on day 6 and he was free from hemodialysis. Circulating anti-GBM antibody was negative after surgery. The graft has functioned well for almost 4 years after transplantation without any episodes of renal or pulmonary complications. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of renal transplantation for Goodpasture's syndrome in the Japanese literature.