Recurrence and spontaneous remission of membranous nephropathy after renal transplantation

Membranous nephropathy is the most frequent cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults and the reason for renal failure and dialysis in 5%. After renal transplantation, recurrent membranous nephropathy occurs in 10 - 30%. There is no established therapy for recurrent membranous nephropathy. This case report describes a probably spontaneous clinical remission of a recurrent membranous nephropathy after renal transplantation. The message of the case report is that there could be spontaneous remissions of membranous nephropathy also after renal transplantation and that remissions seen after various therapeutic maneuvers as described in case reports and case series might either be the consequence of that therapy or represent spontaneous remission.