Coexistence of Kaposi's sarcoma and tuberculosis in a renal transplant recipient.
BACKGROUND
We describe a case of Kaposi's sarcoma that developed in a renal transplant recipient as early as 5 months after the transplant.


METHODS
The Kaposi's sarcoma evolved in an aggressive manner, involving the oral mucosa, the cervical and mediastinal lymph nodes, the gastrointestinal tract, and possibly the lung. Histological features of tuberculosis were also detected incidentally on an excisional biopsy of the lymph node. The patient was given 12 months of antituberculous chemotherapy. At the same time, immunosuppression was gradually tapered over a 2- to 3-week period.


RESULTS
Despite the aggressive nature of the disease, the Kaposi's sarcoma regressed completely without the institution of chemotherapy. The patient remained disease-free after a follow-up period of 30 months. The kidney allograft, however, was rejected and the patient required dialysis again.


CONCLUSIONS
Although lymphadenopathy is a well-recognized feature in organ transplant recipients who develop Kaposi's sarcoma, one has to watch out for other coexisting diseases, such as tuberculosis, lymphoma, and cytomegalovirus infection.
Department of Medicine, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong. awang@cuhk.edu.hk
A Y
AY
Wang
P K
PK
Li
K F
KF
To
F M
FM
Lai
K N
KN
Lai
D000328:Adult; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000503:physiopathology; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008099:Liver / Q000503:physiopathology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology
D000995:Antitubercular Agents