Tuberculosis affecting a cadaveric renal allograft

Tuberculosis is one of the more serious infections complicating renal transplantation. Although the incidence appears to be low, a dose of prednisone greater than 10 mg daily has been associated with a more severe form of disease. A case of tuberculosis with renal allograft involvement is described with documented bacteriological and radiological involvement in which treatment was successful with anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy. Deterioration in renal function did not occur. The prophylaxis of patients undergoing transplantation with a history of tuberculosis and the features, diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis affecting a renal allograft are discussed.