Renal transplantation in systemic lupus erythematosus

3 patients with chronic renal failure due to lupus nephritis received kidney allografts from cadaver donors. Serological activity was present in 2 patients at the time of transplantation, and continued unabated despite intensive immunosuppressive therapy. Their allograft failed at 5 and 7 months after transplantation. Anti-DNA antibody in the allograft was found in 1 patient. The 3rd patient, with no serological activity at the time of transplantation, remained serologically negative, and her allograft functioned for 18 months. The persistence of serological activity in 1 patient, and the recovery of anti-DNA antibody from her allograft provide proof for the recurrence of lupus nephritis in the allograft.