Clinical and histopathological spectrum of IgA nephropathy in Kuwait

Little is known about the nature and the course of IgA nephropathy [IgAN] in Arab countries. The aim of this work was to study the spectrum of clinical presentation and histopathological findings at our institution. Retrospective review, all renal biopsies at the Mubarak Al Kabeer Hospital between January 2000 and December 2004. Cases of IgA nephropathy were selected, and their medical records and biopsy findings were reviewed. Eighty patients [9.2% of all native kidney biopsies] were diagnosed to have IgAN nephropathy. Sixty-nine biopsies were included in the study; 11 were excluded. Forty-three [62.3%] patients were male and 26 [37.7] patients were female. Fifty [72.5%] patients were below the age of 40 years. Mean [SD] duration of follow-up was 3.6 [1.3] years. The first presentation included nephritic-range proteinuria [49.3%] and renal impairment [50.7%]. During the follow-up period, 56 [81.2%] patients were stable or improved. Hass classification of biopsies showed 36.2% had class I, 27.5% had class II, 13.0% had class III, 5.8% had class IV, and 17.4% had class V IgAN. Females had milder forms of the disease than males. Macroscopic hematuria and renal impairment at presentation were seen more in patients with class IV and V IgAN. The presenting serum creatinine and uric acid values were higher in those with Hass classes III to V. Deterioration of renal function during the follow-up period was more significant in the presence of hypertension, renal impairment, or macroscopic hematuria at the time of biopsy. The prevalence of IgAN in Kuwait is about 9.2%. Renal impairment or macroscopic hematuria at presentation was seen in patients with more aggressive renal lesions and contributed to poor outcome

Disseminated peritoneal Schistosoma japonicum: a case report and review of the pathological manifestations of the helminth

Schistosomiasis [also known as bilharzia, bilharziasis, bilharziosis or snail fever] is a human disease syndrome caused by infection from one of several species of parasitic trematodes of the genus Schistosoma. The three main species infecting humans are S haematobium, S japonicum, and S mansoni. S japonicum is most common in the fareast, mostly in China and the Philippines. We present an unusual case of S japonicum in a 32-year-old Filipino woman who had schistosomal ova studding the peritoneal cavity and forming a mass in the right iliac fossa

Renal biopsy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: Indications and nature of the lesions

The prevalence of non diabetic renal disease [NDRD] among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus varies widely depending on the selection criteria and the populations being studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate the renal biopsies performed on type 2 diabetic patients for suspicion of NDRD and to correlate the pathological with the clinical and laboratory findings. We selected and reviewed biopsies performed on type 2 diabetics for clinically suspected NDRD from January 2006 to December 2008 at a single hospital. Clinical and laboratory data were analyzed in relation to the histopathology findings. Patients were grouped into either group I with isolated DGS or group II with NDRD on top of DGS. Thirty-one biopsies were performed on type 2 diabetic patients; Seventeen patients [54.8%] were males. Mean age was 50.68 [11.29] years. The mean duration of diabetes was 9.33 [3.6] years. Renal biopsy showed that among the studied group 14 patients [45.2%] showed NDRD on top of DGS. Crescentic glomerulonephritis was the commonest finding seen in 3 cases [21.4% of group II cases] followed by acute tubulointerstitial nephritis and hypertensive changes each was seen in 2 cases [14.4%]. Other findings included IgA nephropathy, primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, rhabdomyolysis, membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis each of them was seen in one case [7.1%]. Group I had a significantly higher level of proteinuria 4.97 [2.08] gm/24 hrs urine than group II 2.72 [1.09] gm/24 hrs urine [P=.003]. There was no significant difference between the two groups in age, duration of diabetes, gender, presence of hypertension, hematuria, serum creatinine or glomerular filtration rate. The present study showed that crescentic glomerulonephritis is the commonest NDRD among diabetic patients. A higher level of proteinuria was reported among those with NDRD superimposed on DGS. So, Renal biopsy should be performed in diabetics when the clinical scenario is atypical