Nara M, et al. – Interstitial fibrosis (IF) was analyzed in 144 kidney recipients 0 h and 1 year post transplantation, its relationships with Banff code scores, clinical parameters, and long–term graft function was explored. As per the observations, %IF was not correlated with Banff code scores. In addition, greater increases in %IF within 1 year post transplantation appeared to influence long–term graft survival. This study suggested computer–analyzed increases in %IF at 1 year as a surrogate marker for long–term graft function.