Risk factors for graft loss in kidney transplant recipients with g3 glomerulitis: A single-center experience .

BACKGROUND: Risk factors for graft loss in kidney transplant recipients with g3 lesions are poorly defined.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated outcomes in 37 consecutive kidney transplant biopsies diagnosed with g3 glomerulitis based on Banff 2013 criteria in a single-center observational study.

RESULTS: The diagnosis of g3 glomerulonephritis was made 6.1 ± 6.6 years after transplant. The majority of patients were Caucasian (86%), male (65%), and received basiliximab induction (54%). At the time of biopsy, all were on triple therapy with tacrolimus, mycophenolate, and prednisone. Mean serum creatinine (Scr) was 2.85 ± 2.1 mg/dL. Notably, 20 (54%) were positive for donor-specific antibodies (DSA+ ) and 8 (22%) were C4d+ , while 24 (65%) had transplant glomerulopathy (TG). Treatment included pulse steroids/intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) (73%) and rituximab (51%). Patients were followed for up to 4 years after the biopsy. Eleven grafts (30%) were lost during the follow-up. Cox regression analyses determined Scr (HR = 1.63, 95% CI 1.19 - 2.24, p = 0.002), live donor status (HR = 0.18, 95% CI 0.04 - 0.90, p = 0.03), t-score (HR = 2.75, 95% CI 1.30 - 5.81, p = 0.008), and ct-score (HR = 2.19, 95% CI 1 - 4.75, p = 0.04) as significant predictors of graft loss.

CONCLUSION: Severe glomerulitis was associated with a high prevalence of TG and graft loss at 4 years. Live donor status, kidney function (Scr), and tubular injury (t- and ct-scores) were independently associated with graft loss. Interventional mechanistic clinical trials are needed to better understand the pathogenesis and outcomes of g3 glomerulitis.
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