Rapid recurrence of ANCA-negative pauci-immune vasculitis after cadaveric renal transplantation

We report a patient with renal failure secondary to antineutrophil cytoplas mic autoantibody (ANCA)-negative pauci-immune systemic vasculitis who devel oped rapid recurrence of vasculitis involving skin, eye, end kidney allogra ft 1 month after cadaveric renal transplant while being maintained on cyclo sporine, mycophenolate mofetil, and prednisolone. Despite early Institution of aggressive treatment with plasma exchange, the disease remained uncontr olled and resulted in substantial morbidity and subsequent graft failure wi thin 1 year post-transplantation. This case confirms that ANCA-negative vas culitides may recur in transplanted patients taking mycophenolate mofetil. Transplantation is contraindicated when active disease is evident. (C) 2001 by se National Kidney Foundation, Inc.