[Anti-basal membrane glomerulonephritis after homologous kidney transplantation in hereditary Alport's nephropathy].

A patient, born in 1968, was found at the age of 9 years to have Alport's syndrome. In his 20th year, when in terminal renal failure, his father's kidney was transplanted into him. 14 months later there was a sudden worsening of his renal function after a varicella infection; for the first time antibodies against the glomerular basal membrane (GBM) were detected. Despite an increase in prednisolone dosage and 6 plasmaphereses chronic haemodialysis again became necessary. Renal biopsy revealed necrotizing intra- and extracapillary glomerulonephritis. Simultaneously there was a raised anti-NC-1-antibody titre (1:80) in the serum. After removal of the transplant the titre fell to normal. The NC-1 antigen, a component of the GBM in healthy persons, may be absent in Alport's syndrome. An analysis of the few cases of anti-GBM glomerulonephritis in renal transplants of patients with Alport's syndrome may make it possible to recognize factors which precipitate or favour this form of glomerulonephritis.