Fatal nephrotic syndrome complicating allogeneic stem cell transplantation: a case report

Disturbed kidney function is a common occurrence after bone-marrow transplantation. Sepsis, nephrotoxic medications, thrombotic microangiopathy and injury related to haemodynamic alterations are frequently accountable. Recently, attention has been given to immune-mediated glomerular damage, related to graft-versus-host disease. Herein we describe the fatal course of a nephrotic syndrome complicating allogeneic stem cell transplantation in a young woman with long-standing paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria. A post-mortem kidney biopsy revealed amyloidosis of the AA type. Physicians should be aware of the possibility that infections and inflammation accompanying the post-transplantation period may rarely promote the development of systemic amyloidosis or exacerbate silent pre-existing disease.