Evaluation of biopsy changes in the early diagnosis of chronic transplant nephropathy

Chronic transplant nephropathy (CTN) remains the most frequent cause of late graft failure [1]. It is suspected by a sustained decline of renal function, usually in conjunction with proteinuria and hypertension. Once the diagnosis of CTN is histologically confirmed, the severity of chronic lesions may be beyond the threshold of reversibility [2], This point has important therapeutical implications, since the efficacy of any new therapy that may potentially modify the natural history of CTN will not be detected if it is diagnosed too late [3].