Outcome of Renal Transplantation in Patients With Both ANCA and Anti-GBM Antibodies

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)–associated vasculitis (AAV) and anti–glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) antibody disease, common causes of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are both characterized by the presence of circulating autoantibodies. A subset of patients have serologic evidence of both antibodies, also called “double-positive” disease. Patients with double-positive disease present often with multisystem disease like in AAV but have a much worse renal prognosis than AAV. The outcome of renal transplantation in these double-positive patients is not known. We report for the first time the results of renal transplantation in six patients with double-positive disease. We conclude that renal transplantation is a safe and effective for patients with double-positive disease. The modern immunosuppressive drugs are effective in preventing vasculitis relapses (read more)

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