Acute polymyositis following renal transplantation.
Myositis is a rare complication following renal transplantation and is most commonly the result of drug-mediated myotoxicity. Other causative disorders include viral infection, electrolyte imbalance and myositis of autoimmune origin. We describe a 60-year-old patient who developed acute polymyositis 4 weeks after a 000 human leukocyte antigen (HLA) mismatch cadaveric renal transplant. Following an uncomplicated transplant course with maintenance triple immunosuppression (prednisolone, mycophenolate mofetil and cyclosporine), the patient presented with severe symmetrical proximal muscle weakness associated with a rise in serum creatine kinase to 46800 U/L. Electromyography confirmed myopathic changes and muscle biopsy demonstrated extensive muscle-fiber necrosis with an inflammatory infiltrate. There were no obviously culpable drugs and viral studies were negative. Prompt initiation of high-dose steroid therapy led to clinical and biochemical recovery. Acute polymyositis may occur following renal transplantation. Potential mechanisms include viral antigen transmission or a localized form of graft vs. host disease.
Courtney
Aisling E
AE
Regional Nephrology Unit, Belfast City Hospital, Belfast, UK. aecourtney@doctors.org.uk
C  Doherty
Ciaran
C
Herron
Brian
B
McCarron
Mark O
MO
Connolly
John K
JK
Jefferson
J Ashley
JA
D000208:Acute Disease; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000941:Antigens / Q000737:chemistry; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000378:metabolism; D004576:Electromyography; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D007249:Inflammation; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009132:Muscles / Q000473:pathology; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D009220:Myositis / Q000821:virology; D017285:Polymyositis / Q000209:etiology*; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000941:Antigens; D004573:Electrolytes; D006680:HLA Antigens; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D011239:Prednisolone; D003402:Creatine Kinase; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid