NBA Star's Disease Often Returns in Transplanted Kidney

While NBA star Alonzo Mourning's decision to retire because of progressive renal failure from a condition known as focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) attracted worldwide attention, few noted that the kidney transplant he now is awaiting may not be a final solution.

FSGS attacks the tiny filters in the kidney, causing protein to spill into the urine and eventually scar the kidneys, often destroying them.

For more than 20 percent of the FSGS patients who receive a kidney transplant, the disease returns in their new kidney, according to Lawrence B. Holzman, researcher at the University of Michigan.

"Because of our poor present understanding of the biology of FSGS, it is not possible to predict which patients will encounter recurrent FSGS in their transplanted kidney," Holzman said.

"We are praying for Mr. Mourning's future transplant," said Brad Stewart, a board member of the nonprofit NephCure Foundation. "But we also want the public to know that this is a terrible disease that harms many thousands of young people. And while transplants often are taken for granted, they are not always a slam dunk."

Three years ago, Stewart donated a kidney to his daughter, Melanie, 16, who lost her native kidneys to FSGS. But the disease returned within months to Melanie Stewart's new kidney, which had to be removed.

"We need more research to better understand the cause of the disease in the native kidney and the cause in transplanted kidneys," said Dr. William E. Smoyer, another University of Michigan researcher.

Other Sources: NephCure