Antibody Status in Children with Steroid-Sensitive Nephrotic Syndrome

PURPOSE: The pathophysiology of hypogammaglobulinemia in nephrotic syndrome (NS) remains unknown. We evaluated the differences in the distribution of anti-bacterial antibodies and anti-viral antibodies, and those of immune antibodies and natural antibodies in steroid-sensitive NS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined the antibody status of 18 children who had routine vaccinations. The levels of immnunoglobulin G (IgG), the IgG subclasses, and the antibodies induced by vaccinations such as diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus and measles-mumpsrubella were analyzed in children with steroid-sensitive NS. RESULTS: There was a positive correlation between the albumin and IgG values (r = 0.6, p < 0.01), and the four IgG subclasses were all evenly depressed in the nephrotic children during the acute stage of the disease. The antibodies induced by bacterial antigens were depressed and the seropositivity of anti-viral antibodies tended to be lower than those of age-matched control children during the acute stage. The depressed immune antibody status recovered rapidly in the remission stage of NS, despite corticosteroid treatment. CONCLUSIONS: IgG levels correlated positively with albumin levels, and all antibodies, including immune and natural antibodies, were depressed in the acute stage of NS. Our results suggest that hypogammaglobulinaemia in NS may be associated with intravascular homeostasis of oncotic pressure.

Arthritis in the Subacute Stage of Kawasaki Disease after Responding to Intravenous Immunoglobulin Treatment

We evaluated the clinical and laboratory characteristics of five children with Kawasaki disease who had showed arthritis after responding to intravenous immunoglobulin(IVIG) treatment. Age distribution was between 13 months and six years of age(mean 3.2+/-1.6 years). There were two males and three females. Arthritis occurred when acute symptoms were subsiding, with the average onset on day 5.8+/-1.8 after final IVIG treatment. Arthritis was pauciarticular in three, and polyarticular in two. Regarding laboratory findings, one child was positive in rhematoid factor and changed to negative after two months. Three patients were examined for HLA B27 and all showed negative results. High dose aspirin(two cases), anti-inflammatory drug(ibprofen, three cases), and corticosteroids(methyprednisolon pulse therapy, one case) were used for this type of arthritis. Symptoms and signs of arthritis in all patients were improved by these therapies. There was no relapse or complications within six months. Arthritis after responding to IVIG therapy was rarely observed in children with Kawasaki disease. This type of arthritis responded well to anti-inflammatory drugs including corticosteroids, and showed no relapses.