Hemosiderosis and hemochromatosis in renal transplant recipients. Clinical and pathological features, diagnostic correlations, predisposing factors, and treatment.

We analyzed the clinical data and liver histology for iron overload in 74 renal allograft recipients. Twenty of the 74 patients had histological evidence of hemosiderosis. Four patients had hemochromatosis. Of the 2 noninvasive diagnostic tests the serum ferritin level was more reliable than percent saturation of transferrin in predicting the histological diagnosis of hemosiderosis. Of the 20 patients with hemosiderosis 14 died either from liver failure or concomitant sepsis. Female patients and those who received long-term dialysis had higher susceptibility for developing hemosiderosis. Of the 6 patients treated with phlebotomies, the response was good in 4 and incomplete in 2. Hemosiderosis and hemochromatosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of posttransplant liver disease. Intermittent phlebotomies if carried out early may prevent the progression of hemosiderosis to micronodular cirrhosis.