Delayed diagnoses of mitochondrial cytopathies in patients presenting with end stage kidney disease: two case reports

BACKGROUND: Up to one third of patients on renal replacement programmes have an unknown cause of kidney disease, and the diagnosis may only be established following renal transplantation when the disease recurs or if new extra-renal symptoms develop. CASE PRESENTATION: We present two patients who presented with progressive chronic kidney disease of unknown cause. Both patients underwent successful renal transplantation but subsequently developed multisystem abnormalities, and were ultimately diagnosed with mitochondrial cytopathy 10–15 years following transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: Mitochondrial cytopathies are rare inborn errors of metabolism that should be considered in adults with renal impairment, especially in those with a family history of kidney or other multisystem disease. The widespread availability of genetic testing provides the potential for earlier diagnoses, thereby enhancing management decisions, anticipation of complications, avoidance of mitotoxic drugs, and informed prognosis prediction.