New-onset crescent IgA nephropathy following the CoronaVac vaccine: A case report

Although coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains a global threat, administering effective and safe vaccines is currently the most promising strategy to curb the ongoing pandemic and decrease the number of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections. However, there remains some uncertainty regarding the safety of vaccines for patients with kidney disease.

A 58-year-old man presented at our institution with gross hematuria 48 hours after receiving his first dose of the CoronaVac (Sinovac) vaccine.

Analysis of a renal biopsy sample led to the diagnosis of crescentic immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN), which we considered an adverse event of receiving the CoronaVac vaccine in China.

The patient's serum creatinine and albumin levels were 1.20 mg/dL and 31.3 g/L, respectively; as such, he was administered a diuretic. His serum creatinine level had risen to 7.45 mg/dL 1 month later, and he developed high blood pressure. The patient then received conventional doses of hormone therapy but developed recurrent fever, which led to the suspicion of active tuberculosis (which he had a history of) and suspension of the hormone therapy.

The patient's renal function deteriorated further, and he ultimately underwent dialysis.

The patient's course of events of apparent IgAN exacerbation should prompt nephrologists to closely follow patients with glomerular disease after they receive a COVID-19 vaccine, especially if persistent gross hematuria occurs.