Malakoplakia in a Transplant Kidney: A Rare Case Report

Authors

  • Praveen Shankar Balasubramanian KMCH Institute of Health Science and Research, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
  • Veenaa Venkatesh Department of Pathology, KMCH Institute of Health Science and Research, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21276/apalm.3742

Keywords:

malakoplakia, renal transplant, renal biopsy, michaelis-gutmann bodies

Abstract

Malakoplakia is a rare inflammatory condition, commonly associated with immunosuppression. It usually affects the urinary bladder. Involvement of renal parenchyma is uncommon. This is a case report of a 49 year old renal transplant recipient with persistent graft dysfunction following an episode of urinary tract infection. Creatinine level was high and urine analysis showed pus cells and E.Coli organisms. Renal allograft biopsy was performed to rule out rejection and interstitial nephritis. The biopsy showed interstitial inflammation with histiocytes showing Michaelis-Gutmann bodies which were highlighted by Perls Prussian blue stain. Hence, the diagnosis of Malakoplakia was made. Treatment with prolonged antibiotics led to significant improvement in the creatinine value and graft function. This is a rare case which involves the renal parenchymal tissue following transplantation and correct diagnosis is required for graft survival and good prognosis.

References

1. Simhadri PK, Contractor R, Chandramohan D, McGee M, Nangia U, Atari M, Bushra S, Kapoor S, Velagapudi RK, Vaitla PK. Malakoplakia in kidney transplant recipients: Three case reports. World J Nephrol. 2025 Jun 25;14(2):100530.

2. Graves AL, Texler M, Manning L, Kulkarni H. Successful treatment of renal allograft and bladder malakoplakia with minimization of immunosuppression and prolonged antibiotic therapy. Nephrology (Carlton) 2014;19 Suppl 1:18–21. doi: 10.1111/nep.12194.

3. Damjanov I, Katz SM. Malakoplakia. Pathol Annu. 1981;16:103–126. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

4. Leão, C.A. ∙ Duarte, M.I. ∙ Gamba, C. Malakoplakia after renal transplantation in the current era of immunosuppressive therapy: case report and literature review

Transpl Infect Dis. 2012; 14:E137-E141

5. Tam, V.K. ∙ Kung, W.H. ∙ Li, R. Renal parenchymal malacoplakia: a rare cause of ARF with a review of recent literature. Am J Kidney Dis. 2003; 41:E13-E17

Downloads

Published

05-01-2026

Issue

Section

Case Report / Case Series

How to Cite

1.
Malakoplakia in a Transplant Kidney: A Rare Case Report. Ann of Pathol and Lab Med [Internet]. 2026 Jan. 5 [cited 2026 Jan. 7];13(1):C44-C46. Available from: https://pacificejournals.com/journal/index.php/apalm/article/view/3742