Rapid improvement in severe lupus glomerular lesions following intensive plasma exchange associated with immunosuppression.

ABSTRACT

We report our experience of intensive plasma exchange (PE) in the treatment of 12 females with severe diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis. All had active disease with crescentic lesions demonstrated on biopsy immediately before PE. Nine patients were also treated with high dose steroids, three patients with low dose steroids and most patients also received cytotoxic therapy. Eight of the 12 patients were biopsied immediately after a course of PE. All but one patient (low dose steroid group) showed considerable diminution of histologic activity with resolution of crescentic lesions. Plasma exchange may accelerate such resolution over conventional therapy, prevent subsequent sclerosis and preserve functional renal tissue.