Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis associated with monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance: a case report

Monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS) can present with different morphologic features and lead to kidney failure. The Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis (HSPN) that cannot be relieved by treatment with glucocorticoid and immunosuppressive agents suggests the presence of monoclonal gammopathy in adult patients. The present study reports on a single case of HSPN associated with IgA-κMGRS. The patient who suffered from recurrent skin purpura for 6 months and nephrotic syndrome for 2 months was admitted to our hospital. Bone marrow biopsy showed monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. Kidney biopsy indicated a Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis (HSPN, ISKDC classified as type III) with positive staining with κ-light chain in the glomeruli and renal tubular epithelial cells. Furthermore, skin biopsy showed leukocytoclastic vasculitis and negative staining for Congo red and light chain. Given both the renal and cutaneous involvement, the patient was considered to have HSPN associated with IgA-κMGRS. The patient experienced an exacerbation in his purpura-like lesions and clinical status after treatment with glucocorticoid and immunosuppressive agents. Consequently, the patient was put on a regimen that included dexamethasone (20 mg on the 1st, 4th, 8th, and 11th days of each month, iv) and bortezomib (2.4 mg on the 1st, 4th, 8th, and 11th days of each month, iv). Eight weeks after treatment, he had complete resolution of his cutaneous purpura and his biochemical parameters improved. The latent presence of MGRS in cases of HSPN should be considered in adult patients. Increased cognizance and correct treatment options could improve patient outcomes.

Síndrome POEMS: um diagnóstico desafiador / POEMS Syndrome: a challenging diagnosis

A síndrome POEMS é um distúrbio multissistêmico. Sua patogênese não está totalmente estabelecida, mas sabe-se que tem relação com fator de crescimento vascular endotelial, interleucinas e fator de necrose tumoral alfa. A idade média de incidência é 50 anos, com maior prevalência em homens. Neuropatia periférica e gamopatia monoclonal estão presentes em todos os pacientes e são consideradas critérios maiores; quando associadas a pelo menos um critério menor, estabelecem diagnóstico da síndrome. As opções de tratamento são radioterapia, corticosteroides e quimioterapia, além de transplante autólogo de células-tronco hematopoiéticas. (AU)

POEMS syndrome is a multisystem disorder. Its pathogenesis isn't fully established, but it is known to be related to endothelial vascular growth factor, interleukins, and tumoral necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). The mean age at incidence is 50 years, with a higher prevalence in men. Peripheral neuropathy and monoclonal gammopathy are present in all patients, and are considered major criteria; when associated with at least one minor criterium, they establish the diagnosis of the syndrome. Treatment options are radiotherapy, corticosteroids, chemotherapy, as well as autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. (AU)

Trasplante de médula ósea en pacientes portadores de inmunodeficiencias severas combinadas / Bone marrow transplantation in patients with severe combined immunodeficiency

La inmunodeficiencia severa combinada (IDSC) es una inmunodeficiencia primaria cuya evolución clínica es mortal si no se realiza un tratamiento con trasplante de médula ósea (TMO). En los últimos 8 años cuatro pacientes de sexo masculino han sido sometidos a TMO, dos de ellos con donante idéntico (hermanos) y los otros dos con médula obtenida de sus respectivas madres (haploidéntico). Como elementos de importancia deben mencionarse la presencia de diseminación de la vacuna BCG en dos de ellos, una paraproteinemia de predominio IgM en un caso y la identificación de una quimera por linfocitos maternos en otro niño. En los cuatro casos existía compromiso pulmonar de importancia, con secuelas tipo bronquiectasias en dos de ellos. Dos pacientes que recibieron TMO idéntico normalizaron su trastorno inmunológico al mes y tres meses de haber recibido el TMO, encontrándose en la actualidad sanos con un tiempo de seguimiento de 1 y 7 años respectivamente. Los otros dos enfermos trasplantados con médula no idéntica fallecieron de complicaciones atribuibles a infecciones y al daño pulmonar existente, al 1 y 2 meses de efectuarse el TMO. Las implicancias prácticas del diagnóstico de la IDSC y los aspectos más importantes del TMO son comentados

Monoclonal gammopathies in asymptomatic HIV-seropositive donors.

Twenty two HIV antibody ELISA reactive serum samples from blood donors were subjected to Western blot (WB) test, out of which 12 sera were found WB positive, five were WB-indeterminate and five were WB-negative. Electrophoresis on agar gel and polyacrylamide gel (PAG) was done in all ELISA reactive sera. Two of the 12 WB-positive and one of the five WB-indeterminate donors showed presence of monoclonal (M) immunoglobulin component and which was identified as of IgG isotype on immunoelectrophoresis (IEP). Sera with 'M' component demonstrated decreased levels of IgA and IgM whereas other sera showed polyclonal increase of immunoglobulins. The paraproteins observed in these patients are possibly a reflection of B-cell overactivation.

Paraproteinemia in chronic lymphoproliferative disorders

49 patients suffered from chronic lymphoproliferative disorders were classified according to the clinical diagnosis. The classification and typing of serum paraproteins in these cases were investigated by using both immunofixation and radial immunodiffusion techniques. The monoclonal protein was found in 90% of the cases with multiple myeloma, 77.77% with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, 50% with chronic Iymphocytic leukemia, and 55.55% with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma while, the cases with Hodgkin's disease showed no detectable amount. The high proportion of the patients with different type and amount of abnormal protein might be referring that the appearance of paraproteins in serum could be used as tumor marker

Syndrome de Gougerot-Sjogren primitif avec gammapathie monoclonale A IGG et syndrome d'hyperviscosite sanguine

The authors have observed a primary Gougerot-Sj“gren's syndrome linked to a monoclonal gammapathy of IgG type kappa having been the origin of syndrome of blood hyperviscosity treated by the corticotherapy and the plasmatic exchanges. They reminded us of the elements that enable us to distinguish the primary Gougerot-Sj“gren's syndrome and discuss the prognosis value of the monoclonal gammapathy whose occurence is exceptional during the Gougerot-Sj“gren's syndrome

Studies on serum proteins in leprosy by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (page)--I.

Serum protein pattern was studied in the leprosy spectrum, their contacts and in normal individuals by employing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Sera from 80% of untreated BL/LL, 70% of untreated TT/BT patients and 67% of contacts have shown dysproteinaemia either for 232 kD or for 175 kD or for both these proteins together. Tendency of these proteins to return to normal levels was observed after treatment. But both these proteins come back to normal levels only after subsidence of the disease.