Key Points of the Banff 2019 Classification of Renal Allograft Pathology

Abstract

The Banff 2019 Kidney Meeting Report was published following the 15th Banff Conference for Allograft Pathology, which was held in Pittsburgh on September 23–28, 2019. The diagnosis of renal transplant rejection based on the Banff 2019 classification is globally utilized. The Banff 2019 classification of renal allograft pathology includes several changes. This mini-review summarizes the key points and issues of the Banff 2019 classification. The criteria for borderline change have been reverted to ≥ i1, the t-IFTA score has been incorporated into the classification, the histological classification of polyoma virus nephropathy has been adopted, and a category was added for chronic (inactive) antibody-mediated rejection. In addition, whether the spread is diffuse or focal should now be noted in the presence of peritubular capillaritis. One of the issues with the Banff 2019 classification is the continuing lack of clarity regarding the definition of the t score, which is used to evaluate tubulitis not only in non-scarred areas but also in moderately atrophic tubules that are assumed to be present in scarred areas, which constitutes a contradiction in the definition.