A case of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis with double-positive anti-GBM antibody and MPO-ANCA after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and relapse during 1 year follow-up

Although mRNA vaccines for COVID-19 are highly beneficial and are recommended for patients with kidney disease, adverse reactions in some patients after vaccination have been problematic. Various vasculitis and renal disorders have been reported after vaccination; however, a causal relationship has not yet been identified. In this report, we describe a case of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis that developed after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, in which both anti-glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) and myeloperoxidase antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (MPO-ANCA) were present. The patient’s renal biopsy showed that of the 48 glomeruli in total, four showed global sclerosis and none showed segmental sclerosis. The biopsy showed 11 cellular glomerular crescents and 5 fibrocellular glomerular crescents. Renal function improved with steroids, rituximab, and plasma exchange. Approximately 9 months later, MPO-ANCA was again elevated, and the pulmonary lesions worsened, again requiring multidisciplinary treatment. This case suggests that caution should be exercised in the development of double-positive disease after vaccination, and that long-term observation may be necessary because of the possibility of relapse.