Management strategies for post-transplant IgA nephropathy in kidney transplant recipients: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND

Post-transplant Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy (IgAN) is an important cause of premature graft loss. Management strategies are often extrapolated from native IgAN, with available evidence limited to heterogeneous, predominantly small retrospective studies.

OBJECTIVES

To characterise diagnostic criteria, map management strategies, and summarise associated clinical outcomes in post-transplant IgAN.

METHODS

A literature search was performed in MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus (1st January 2000-11th December 2025) following Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) and PRISMA-ScR guidelines. English-language studies of adult kidney transplant recipients with biopsy-proven post-transplant IgAN and documented management strategies were included. Data on study design, cohorts, diagnostic criteria, interventions, and outcomes were charted and narratively described.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria. Most were single-centre retrospective cohorts. Diagnostic criteria varied, but typically histological evidence of IgA deposition alone was sufficient. IgAN was often clinically relevant, with proteinuria > 1 g/day frequently reported. Reported treatments included renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS)-blockade, immunosuppression adjustment, rituximab, tonsillectomy and pulsed corticosteroids. Several small case series explored emerging therapies (iptacopan, budesonide, telitacicept). Study heterogeneity precluded quantitative data synthesis.

CONCLUSIONS

RAAS-blockade was the most commonly used intervention and was associated with benefit in several studies. Tonsillectomy was associated with improved outcomes but reported only in Japanese cohorts. Other interventions (rituximab, pulsed steroids, emerging therapies) warrant prospective clinical trials. Amid evolving paradigms in native IgAN management, this review highlights heterogeneity in diagnostic criteria, outcome reporting, and interventions for the management of post-transplant IgAN. Robust prospective, multicentre studies are urgently required to define optimal management in this high-risk population.