Immunologic myopathy. Linear IgG deposition and fulminant terminal episode.

ABSTRACT

The histopathologic characteristics of a patient with progressive myopathy, renal failure, hemoptysis, and a fulminant terminal event demonstrated a diffuse vasculitis, type 2 fiber atrophy of muscle, and linear IgG staining of the basement membranes of skeletal muscle fibers and of glomerular capillary basement membranes. Interpretation of electron micrographs confirmed that there was thickening of muscle basement membranes. The data suggest the presence of an antibody to a basement membrane antigen shared by muscle and kidney.