Recurrence of oxalate deposition in a renal transplant during ciclosporin A therapy

Abstract

A 14.5-year-old boy with end-stage renal failure due to familial primary hyperoxaluria underwent cadaver donor renal transplantation. The graft function was stable for a period of 22 months, while he was on conventional immunosuppressive therapy (prednisolone and azathioprine) and additional oral pyridoxine, phosphorus, and magnesium supplementation. When ciclosporin A was introduced instead of azathioprine, the blood levels of oxalate rose, and oxalate deposition in the renal tubuli became evident. These observations suggest that ciclosporin A interferes with oxalate metabolism and, therefore, should be given with utmost caution in patients with primary hyperoxaluria.