Membranous nephropathy associated with viral infection.

BACKGROUND: Membranous nephropathy (MN) can be associated with hepatitis infection and less commonly with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The significance of anti-phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) and anti-thrombospondin type 1 domain-containing 7A (THSD7A) antibodies in this setting is unclear. METHODS: We describe the clinical, histopathological and outcome data of 19 patients with MN and hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) or HIV infection identified through our renal biopsy database and the association with anti-PLA2R antibodies and anti-THSD7A antibodies. RESULTS: The cohort consisted of 19 patients, 8 male and 11 female, with a median age of 42 years (range 23-74). HBV infection was found in six cases, HCV in four and HIV in nine (two HIV patients had HBV co-infection and one HCV co-infection). PLA2R staining on biopsy was positive in 10/19 patients: 4 with HBV-MN, 3 with HCV-MN and 3 with HIV-MN and circulating anti-PLA2R antibodies were detected in 7/10 cases. THSD7A staining on biopsy was positive in three PLA2R-negative cases, one with HBV-MN and two with HIV-MN. Mean proteinuria was higher in the PLA2R-positive group and the median urinary protein:creatinine ratio (uPCR) was 963 mg/mmol (range 22-2406) compared with the PLA2R-negative group [median uPCR 548 mg/mmol (range 65-1898); P = 0.18 Mann-Whitney]. Spontaneous remission occurred in 6/19 patients and after-treatment remission occurred in 7/11 patients. Renal function was preserved in all but two patients who required haemodialysis 2 and 11 years from diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: We describe a cohort of patients with MN associated with viral infection, including rare cases of HIV-MN with PLA2R and THSD7A positivity. The mechanism of coincidental or viral-related MN needs to be investigated further.

Successful simultaneous liver-kidney transplantation for renal failure associated with hereditary complement C3 deficiency.

Hereditary complement C3 deficiency is associated with recurrent bacterial infections and proliferative glomerulonephritis. We describe a case of an adult with complete deficiency of complement C3 due to homozygous mutations in C3 gene: c.1811delT (Val604Glyfs*2), recurrent bacterial infections, crescentic glomerulonephritis, and end-stage renal failure. Following isolated kidney transplantation he would remain C3 deficient with a similar, or increased, risk of infections and glomerulonephritis. As C3 is predominantly synthesized in the liver, with a small proportion of C3 monocyte derived and kidney derived, he proceeded to simultaneous liver-kidney transplantation. The procedure has been successful with restoration of his circulating C3 levels, normal liver and kidney function at 26 months of follow-up. Simultaneous liver-kidney transplant is a viable option to be considered in this rare setting.

Seasonal relapsing minimal change disease: a novel strategy for avoiding long-term immunosuppression.

BACKGROUND: We describe the case of a young woman with seasonal allergic rhinitis who presented with signs of a lower respiratory tract infection, acute renal impairment and the nephrotic syndrome, demonstrated on biopsy to be due to minimal change disease (MCD) with acute tubular injury. Following initiation of high-dose corticosteroids, her respiratory symptoms and renal impairment improved, and the nephrotic syndrome went rapidly into remission, but relapsed, off treatment, in a seasonal fashion. MANAGEMENT: In view of significant side effects related to corticosteroids, relapses were treated with the calcineurin inhibitor tacrolimus with excellent effect, but the patient was keen to avoid the complications of medium-term immunosuppression and so the drug was weaned early. She relapsed for the second time, whilst off tacrolimus, at the same time of year as at her initial presentation. In subsequent years we have successfully managed this patient with seasonal relapsing MCD with seasonal prophylactic tacrolimus therapy. DISCUSSION: We discuss the natural history of MCD and treatment options and demonstrate the utility of a clear understanding of the natural history of the condition in order to predict disease relapse and tailor therapy to the individual patient.

Goodpasture's disease in the absence of circulating anti-glomerular basement membrane antibodies as detected by standard techniques.

Goodpasture's disease is characterized by rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, often accompanied by pulmonary hemorrhage, in association with deposition of antibodies in a linear pattern on the glomerular basement membrane (GBM). The diagnosis of Goodpasture's disease in patients with acute renal failure often relies on the use of immunoassays to detect circulating anti-GBM antibodies in serum samples. We describe three cases of Goodpasture's disease in which no circulating anti-GBM antibodies were detectable in serum by well-established enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or Western blotting techniques. The diagnosis of Goodpasture's disease was confirmed by renal biopsy, with linear deposition of immunoglobulin along the GBM and crescentic glomerulonephritis. In addition, an alternative method of antibody detection using a highly sensitive biosensor system confirmed that circulating antibodies were present in sera from both patients tested. Because this technique is not routinely available for the detection of anti-GBM antibodies, we suggest that diagnosis always be confirmed with a renal biopsy, and despite negative serological test results using immunoassay, the diagnosis of Goodpasture's disease should still be considered in the correct clinical context.