Plasma cell-rich related acute rejection in kidney transplant: A case report and review of the literature.

RATIONALE: Plasma cell-rich acute rejection (PCAR), a subtype of T cell-mediated rejection, is a relatively rare type of acute allograft rejection, that is usually associated with a higher rate of graft failure. However, it is difficult to diagnose PCAR precisely.

PATIENT CONCERNS: A 45-year-old woman who had received a kidney transplant presented with acute kidney injury and uremic symptoms approximately 1 year after transplantation.

DIAGNOSIS: A renal biopsy was performed and pathological examination revealed marked inflammation with abundant plasma cells in areas within interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy. The patient was diagnosed with PCAR and chronic active T cell-mediated rejection (CA-TCMR) grade IA.

INTERVENTIONS: Immunosuppressants were administered as tacrolimus (2 mg twice daily), mycophenolate mofetil (250 mg twice daily), and prednisolone (15 mg/day) for suspected PCAR.

OUTCOMES: The patients showed rapid deterioration in kidney function and reached impending graft failure.

LESSONS: PCAR is often associated with poor graft outcome. The high variability in tacrolimus levels could contribute to poor patient outcomes, leaving aggressive immunosuppressive therapy as the remaining choice for PCAR treatment.