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

We report a patient with renal failure secondary to antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-negative pauci-immune systemic vasculitis who developed rapid recurrence of vasculitis involving skin, eye, and kidney allograft 1 month after cadaveric renal transplant while being maintained on cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil, and prednisolone. Despite early institution of aggressive treatment with plasma exchange, the disease remained uncontrolled and resulted in substantial morbidity and subsequent graft failure within 1 year post-transplantation. This case confirms that ANCA-negative vasculitides may recur in transplanted patients taking mycophenolate mofetil. Transplantation is contraindicated when active disease is evident. © 2001 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc.