Histologic, ultrastructural, and immunomicroscopic findings in 96 one hour human renal allograft biopsy specimens: Immunologic and clinical significance

Predicting the outcome of human renal allografts based on studies of one hour biopsy specimens is still controversial. We have tried to correlate histologic, ultrastructural, and immunofluorescence findings in 96 one hour biopsy specimens with histocompatibility matching, the presence of preformed antibodies, allograft ischemia and preservation times, the donor's age, the original renal disease, and allograft source, function, and survival. Ultrastructurally, 22 allografts had fibrin deposits in glomerular loops. There was a significant correlation between this finding and poor allograft function (p < 0.01), cold ischemia time (p < 0.02), and cadaveric allograft source (p < 0.01). Sixteen allografts showed epithelial cell detachment from tubular basement membranes. This finding correlated with cadaveric allograft source (p < 0.01). Many other morphologic changes were evaluated by both light and electron microscopy, but they did not bear any significant relationship to any of the aforementioned clinical parameters. Of 30 biopsy specimens studied by direct immunofluorescence, 11 showed positive findings (immunoglobulins or C3) in either glomeruli, vessels, or both. There was no significant correlation between these findings and the clinical parameters.