Clinical and histological features of patients with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis classified by immunofluorescence findings / Características clínicas e histológicas de pacientes com glomerulonefrite membranoproliferativa classificados por achados de imunofluorescência

Abstract Background: New classification for membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis has been proposed in the literature. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical, biochemical, etiology and renal biopsy findings of these patients grouped by immunofluorescence as proposed by the new classification. Methods: Patients with renal biopsy-proven membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis unrelated to systemic lupus erythematosus, diagnosed between 1999 and 2014. The patients were divided according to immunofluorescence: Immunoglobulin positive group, C3 positive only and negative immunofluorescence group. Results: We evaluated 92 patients, the majority of which were in the immunoglobulin positive group. Infectious diseases, hepatitis C virus and schistosomiasis, were the most frequent etiology. A negative immunofluorescence group had more vascular involvement in renal biopsy compare with others groups. Conclusions: The only difference between the groups was higher vascular involvement in renal biopsy in negative immunofluorescence group. These new classification was satisfactory for the finding of etiology in one part of the cases.

Resumo Introdução: Uma nova classificação para glomerulonefrite membranoproliferativa foi proposta na literatura. O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar os achados clínicos, bioquímicos, etiológicos e da biópsia renal desses pacientes agrupados por imunofluorescência, conforme proposto pela nova classificação. Métodos: Pacientes com glomerulonefrite membranoproliferativa comprovada por biópsia renal, não relacionada ao lúpus eritematoso sistêmico, diagnosticados entre 1999 e 2014. Os pacientes foram divididos de acordo com a imunofluorescência: grupo positivo por imunoglobulina, grupo positivo por C3 apenas e grupo com imunofluorescência negativa. Resultados: avaliamos 92 pacientes, a maioria dos quais estava no grupo de imunoglobulina positiva. Doenças infecciosas, o vírus da hepatite C e a esquistossomose, foram as etiologias mais frequentes. Um grupo com imunofluorescência negativa apresentou maior comprometimento vascular na biópsia renal quando comparado com os outros grupos. Conclusões: a única diferença entre os grupos foi o maior envolvimento vascular na biópsia renal no grupo de imunofluorescência negativa. Esta nova classificação foi satisfatória para a descoberta de etiologia em uma parte dos casos.

Shenhua Tablet inhibits mesangial cell proliferation in rats with chronic anti-Thy-1 nephritis

BACKGROUND: In China, mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (MsPGN) is one of the most common kidney diseases. In this study, we treated a rat model of chronic anti-Thy-1 MsPGN with Shenhua Tablet and evaluated whether the tablet was able to protect the kidney function. Thirty-six Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups: (1) Sham surgery (Sham); (2) anti-Thy-1 nephritis model (Thy-1); (3) anti-Thy-1 nephritis model + irbesartan-treated (Irb); (4) anti-Thy-1 nephritis model + low-dose of Shenhua Tablet (SHL); (5) anti-Thy-1 nephritis model + medium-dose of Shenhua Tablet (SHM); (6) anti-Thy-1 nephritis model + high-dose of Shenhua Tablet (SHH). RESULTS: Thirteen weeks after drug treatment, urinary proteins were quantified and renal pathological changes were thoroughly examined at the time point of 24 h. Meanwhile, the expression levels of p-Erk1/2, cyclin D1 and p21 at the renal cortex were also tested. The levels of urinary proteins and total cholesterol in the blood were significantly reduced in rats treated with any drug tested in this study. The level of triglyceride was significantly reduced in all three Shenhua Tablet-treated groups. Renal pathomorphological scores were significantly improved in groups of Irb, SHM and SHH. Mesangial cell proliferation was significantly inhibited in any drug-treated group. p-Erk1/2 and cyclin D1 were downregulated whereas p21 was upregulated in the renal cortex. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicated that Shenhua Tablet is able to inhibit the abnormal proliferation of mesangial cells and to prevent kidney damage, which is likely associated with downregulation of p-Erk1/2 and reduced activity of its downstream target-cyclin D1.

Dense Deposit Disease in Korean Children: A Multicenter Clinicopathologic Study

The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical, laboratory, and pathologic characteristics of dense deposit disease (DDD) in Korean children and to determine whether these characteristics differ between Korean and American children with DDD. In 2010, we sent a structured protocol about DDD to pediatric nephrologists throughout Korea. The data collected were compared with previously published data on 14 American children with DDD. Korean children had lower 24-hr urine protein excretion and higher serum albumin levels than American children. The light microscopic findings revealed that a higher percentage of Korean children had membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis patterns (Korean, 77.8%; American, 28.6%, P = 0.036), whereas a higher percentage of American children had crescents (Korean, 0%; American, 78.6%, P < 0.001). The findings from the electron microscopy revealed that Korean children were more likely to have segmental electron dense deposits in the lamina densa of the glomerular basement membrane (Korean, 100%; American, 28.6%, P = 0.002); mesangial deposit was more frequent in American children (Korean, 66.7%; American, 100%, P = 0.047). The histological findings revealed that Korean children with DDD were more likely to show membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis patterns than American children. The degree of proteinuria and hypoalbuminemia was milder in Korean children than American children.

Schistosomal glomerulopathy and changes in the distribution of histological patterns of glomerular diseases in Bahia, Brazil

Distinct patterns of glomerular lesions, including membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, are associated with infection by Schistosoma mansoni or Schistosoma japonicum. Evidence suggests that immune complex deposition is the main mechanism underlying the different forms of schistosomal glomerulonephritis and that immune complex deposition may be intensified by portal hypertension. The relationship between focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and schistosomiasis remains poorly understood. A clinicopathologic classification of schistosomal glomerulopathies was proposed in 1992 by the African Association of Nephrology. In Brazil, mass treatment with oral medications has led to a decrease in the occurrence of schistosomal glomerulopathy. In a survey of renal biopsies performed in Salvador, Brazil, from 2003-2009, only 24 (4 percent) patients were identified as positive for S. mansoni infection. Among these patients, only one had the hepatosplenic form of the disease. Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis was found in seven patients and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis was found in four patients. Although retrospective studies on the prevalence of renal diseases based on kidney biopsies may be influenced by many patient selection biases, a change in the distribution of glomerulopathies associated with nephrotic syndrome was observed along with a decline in the occurrence of severe forms of schistosomiasis.

Clinicopathological features of atypical nephrotic syndrome in jamaican children / Características clínico-patológicas del síndrome nefrótico atípico en los niños jamaicanos

OBJECTIVES: To document the histopathological spectrum of atypical nephrotic syndrome in Jamaican children and to make clinicopathological correlations which will assist physicians in identifying patients needing nephrology consultation. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of renal biopsy data of Jamaican children who were referred to the University Hospital of the West Indies and the Bustamante Hospital for Children between January 1985 and December 2008. The study population consisted of children < 12 years old with atypical nephrotic syndrome. RESULTS: Biopsies were done in 157 children - 85 males and 72 females (mean age 8.91 ± 3.44 years). Indications for biopsy were steroid resistance (35%), frequent relapses (8.9%) and other atypical presentations (56.1%). Overall, mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (MesGN) was the commonest histology (49/157, 31.2%), followed by minimal change disease (MCD) (36/157, 22.9%) and diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis (DPGN) (26/157, 16.6%). Infection was present in 38/157 (24%) cases. Diffuse proli ferative glomerulonephritis was the predominant type associated with streptococcal infection (52.9%) while Hepatitis B was seen in 83% ofcases ofmembranous nephropathy. CONCLUSION: Mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis is the commonest histology seen in Jamaican children with atypical nephrotic syndrome. Most membranous nephropathy is Hepatitis B related. Hypertension with hypocomplementaemia, renal failure and anaemia are features ofmore serious renal disease (eg membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and crescentic nephritis) rather than MCNS and should warrant urgent nephrology consultation for renal biopsy.

OBJETIVOS: Documentar el espectro histopatológico del síndrome nefrótico atípico en los niños jamaicanos y hacer correlaciones clínico-patológicas que ayuden a los médicos a identificar pacientes que necesitan la consulta de nefrología.. MÉTODOS: Se trata de un estudio retrospectivo de datos de biopsias renales de niños jamaicanos remitidos al Hospital Universitario de West Indies y al Hospital Pediátrico Bustamante, entre enero de 1985 y diciembre de 2008. La población del estudio consistió en niños < 12 años de edad que padecían el síndrome nefrótico atípico. RESULTADOS: Se realizaron biopsias a 157 niños - 85 varones y 72 hembras (edad promedio 8.91 + 3.44 años). Las indicaciones para la biopsia se debieron a resistencia a los esteroides (35%), recaídas frecuentes (8.9%) y otras manifestaciones atípicas (56.1%). En general, la glomerulonefritis proliferativa mesangial (GNMes) fue la histología más común con 49/157 (31.2%), seguida por la enfermedad de cambio mínimo (ECM) con 36/157(22.9%) y la glomerulonefritis proliferativa difusa (GNPD) con 26/157 (16.6%). La infección estuvo presente en 38/157 (24%) de los casos. La glomerulonefritis proliferativa difusa fue el tipo predominante asociado con la infección estreptocóccica (52.9%), mientras que Hepatitis B fue observada en el 83% de los casos de nefropatía membranosa. CONCLUSIÓN: La glomerulonefritis proliferativa mesangial es la histología que con mayor frecuencia se observa en los niños jamaicanos que padecen el síndrome nefrótico atípico. La mayoría de los casos de nefropatía membranosa guardan relación con la hepatitis B. La hipertensión con hipocomplementemia, la insuficiencia renal y la anemia son rasgos más bien de enfermedades renales más serias (p.ej, glomerulonefritis membranoproliferativa, nefritis crescéntica) que del síndrome nefrótico de cambios mínimos (SNCM) y debe asegurarse la consulta urgente con el nefrólogo para se realice una biopsia renal.

Glomerulonefritis rapidamente progresiva en el niño: análisis de la casuística de un quinquenio 2004-2009: [revisión] / Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis in children: analysis of the data of a five-year period 2004-2009: [review]

La glomerulonefritis rápidamente progresiva (GNRP) es una entidad poco frecuente; el diagnóstico precoz es importante con fines terapéuticos y pronósticos. El objetivo del presente trabajo es reportar la casuística del GNRP en el Servicio de Nefrología del Hospital de Niños "Jorge Lizarraga" entre enero 2004 y enero 2009. Estudio retrospectiva y descriptivo con la revisión de las historias clínicas de 8 pacientes con edades entre 3-13 años. Seis pacientes correspondieron al sexo femenino. La edad promedio fue de 11 ± 3.5 años. La mayoría presentó un foco infeccioso previo con mayor frecuencia en piel (6 casos), y en faringe un caso. Las manifestaciones clínicas y los hallazgos de laboratorio se caracterizaron por: edema, hipertensión, hematuria, retención azoada progresiva, proteinuria e hipocomplementaria. Se realizó biopsia renal en todos los casos, observandose glomerulonefritis proliferativa endo y extracapilar en 6 casos y glomerulonefritis membranoprolirativa en 2 casos. La terapéutica se basó en tratar la infección y el fallo renal agudo. Se aplicaron pulsos de metilprednisolona a todos los pacientes y 6 pacientes ameritaron diálisis peritoneal. Seis pacientes sobrevivieron (2 egresaron con función renal normal y 4 progresaron a enfermedad renal crónica) y 2 pacientes fallecieron. La GNRP es una condición que se presenta esporadicamente; su evolución depende de la severidad del compromiso renal, extensión de las lesiones histopatológicas y precocidad en la terapéutica farmacológica y dialítica. La mayoría de los pacientes sobrevive, un porcentaje importante progresa a enfermedad renal crónica, lo cual eventualmente amerita terapia substitutiva con dialisis y trasplante renal.

Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) is a rate entity; early diagnosis is important for adequate and prompt treatment. The objetive of this paper is to report the casuistic of RPGN in the Department of Nephrology of the Hospital de Niños "Jorge Lizarraga" between January 2004 and January 2009. Retrospective and descriptive study collecting data of the medical records of 8 pantients, ages 3-13 years. Six patients were females and the average for age was 11 ± 3.5 years. The majority presented a previous infection (skin in 6 and pharynx in 1). Clinical manifestations and laboratory findings were: edema hypertensión, hematuria, progressive azotemic retentions, proteinuria and hypocomplementemia. Renal biopsy was performed in all patients with the following results: endo and extracapillary proliferative glomerulonephritis in 6 cases and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis in 2. Therapeutic measures were aimed to the treatment of infection acute renal failure. Methylprednisolone boluses were indicated in all patients, 6 patients were submitted to peritoneal dialysis. Six patients survived (2 with normal renal function and 4 with progression to chronic kidney disease), and 2 died. RPGN is a condition that occurs sporadically: its evolution depends of the severity of renal involvement, the extension of histological lesions and the precocity with which pharmacological and dialytic treatment are installed. Most patients survive but a significant number progresss to chronic kidney disease.

Prediction of tubulo-interstitial injury by Doppler ultrasound in glomerular diseases: value of resistive and atrophic indices.

BACKGROUND: Doppler ultrasound is increasingly used in Nephrology for diagnosis of renovascular hypertension and evaluation of allograft dysfunction. However, its utility in glomerular disease remains controversial. OBJECTIVES: Using Doppler Ultrasound, we prospectively tested the role of resistive and atrophic indices in predicting tubulointerstitial lesions in patients with glomerular disease as demonstrated by renal biopsy. METHODS: Seventy one patients with primary or secondary glomerular diseases were examined by Doppler ultrasonography immediately before renalbiopsy. The resistive and atrophic indices (RI & AI) were calculated and compared with histologic changes in biopsy specimen. RESULTS: Receiver Operator Characteristics analysis showed RI of 0.60 as an optimal value for discriminating tubulointerstitial changes with sensitivity of 82.7% and specificity of 92%. An AI of 0.65 was shown to be optimal for discriminating tubulointerstitial injury with sensitivity of 69.2% and specificity of 85%. The combination of the two indices had not been found to be superior to either index alone. There was a significant correlation between atrophic and resistive indices. (r=0.358, p< 0.01). It was observed that older age, smoking, elevated AI and RI, low GFR, high serum cholesterol and Hypertension were found to be significantly associated with the presence of tubulointerstitial injury in the univariate analysis whereas only elevated AI and RI were found to predict tubulointerstitial injury in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Measurement of RI by Doppler ultrasound can be considered as a supplementary diagnostic tool in glomerular diseases to predict the severity of tubulointerstitial injury.

A case of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis associated with a hydatidiform mole

We treated a 54-year-old woman who was suffering from membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis associated with a complete type of hydatidiform mole. The renal manifestations were proteinuria and hematuria. A renal biopsy, performed before gynecologic management, disclosed focal and segmental subendothelial deposits with a proliferation of the mesangial cell and showed irregularly thickened capillary loops by light and electronmicroscoy. Genralized edema, proteinuria and hematuria were completely recovered by suction and curettage of the hydatidiform mole with prophylactic chemotherapy. The clinical manifestation of earlier presented 3 cases have been the nephrotic syndrome. The common feature of them was a complete remission of the nephropathy after the removal of the hydatidiform mole. The relationship between the hydatidiform mole and glomerulonephritis remains unresolved at present. But we concluded that the hydatidiform mole might be a cause of glomerulonephritis in this case.

Infección por virus de la hepatitis C y glomérulonefritis membranoproliferativa / Hepatitis C virus infection and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis

Antecedentes y métodos. Recientemente se ha informado una posible asociación entre la infección por virus de hepatitis C (VHC) y las glomérulonefritis membranoproliferativa (GNMP) y membranosa. La fisipatogenia de esta entidad parece estar mediada por depósito de complejos inmunes en los glomérulos. El objetivo de este informe es describir las característias clínicas, de laboratorio e histopatológicas de tres pacientes con infección crónica por VHC, sin infección por virus de la hepatitis B ni enfermedades autoinmunes, y con evidencia de enfermedad glomerular. Resultados. Todos los pacientes presentaron estigmas de hepatopatía crónica, ascitis y edema periférico, y presión arterial normal. Los resultados de laboratorio no mostraron alteraciones significativas en pruebas de función hepática y en las cifras de elementos azoados; los tres casos presentaron hematuria microscópica, hipoalbuminemia y albuminuria de grado variable, sin hipercolesterolemia y factor reumatoide positivo. Sólo un paciente tuvo anticuerpos antinucleares y anticuerpos antimitocondriales positivos a títulos bajos, y otro más presentó niveles bajos de C3 y C4. En los tres casos, las biopsias de riñón fueron interpretadas como glomérulonefritis membranoproliferativa tipo I, y las de hígado como cirrosis. Conclusiones. Las evidencias presentadas apoyan la asociación de la enfermedad crónica por virus de la hepatitis C y la glomérulonefritis membranoproliferativa. Es necesario realizar otros estudios para establecer más firmemente la asociación, fisiopatogenia y causalidad entre estas entidades

Glomerulonefritis membranoproliferativa con semilunas y depósitos masivos de IgA asociada a HBsAg / Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis with semilunar forms and massive deposits of IgA associated with HBsAg

Se presenta un joven coreano de 21 años con diagnóstico de ingreso al hospital de síndrome nefrótico, hipertensión arterial, microhematuria e insuficiencia renal, requiriendo hemodiálisis. El paciente era portador HBsAg y HBeAg sin enfermedad hepática clínica ni humoral, tampouco antecedentes de transfusiones ni adicción a drogas de uso intravenoso. Se le efectuó biopsia renal percutánea pudiendo diagnosticarse glomérulonefritis membrano-proliferativa en estado avanzado con formación de semilunas fibroepiteliales en el espacio de Bowman. La inmunofluorescencia mostró depósitos masivos de IgA con un patrón granular, en mesangio y capilares glomerulares. Mediante técnica de inmunoperoxidasas se comprobó depósitos de HBsAg en la pared de los capilares glomerulares, citoplasma de las células glomerulares, mesangio y túbulos renales. Se trataría del primer caso de glomérulonefritis membranoproliferativa con semilunas y depósitos masivos de IgA, insuficiencia renal progresiva con necesidad de hemodiálisis crónica, en un portador de HBsAg y HBeAg

The primary nephrotic syndrome in children at Ramathibodi Hospital: clinical and clinicopathological study.

Mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (MesPGN) is the most common histopathological finding of primary nephrotic syndrome in Thai children. Prediction of glomerular morphology is possible by the clinical characteristics: the age at onset older than 6 years old, occurring mostly in males, with or without hematuria, no hypertension, normal serum creatinine level, response to initial corticosteroid therapy but frequent relapses. Epidemiological study pertaining to associated environmental factors and immunological response of Thai children is needed.

Glomerulonefritis membrano-proliferativa / Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis

Se realiza un análisis de la presentación clínica, de la evolución y del pronóstico de la glomerulonefritis membrano-proliferativa o mesangio-capilar definida como una glomerulopatía crónica con proliferación de las células mesangiales y engrosamiento de la pared capilar glomerular. Se distinguen tres tipos y se considera que la tipo II o enfermedad por depósitos densos es una entidad independiente. Se refiere que la frecuencia entre las glomerulopatías primarias del adulto en nuestro medio es de 9 por ciento y se confirma la disminución de la incidencia en los últimos años. Se analizan las características clínicas de 19 pacientes asistidos en el Hospital de Clínicas en el período 1976-1989. Las formas de presentación clínica son el síndrome nefrótico, el síndrome nefrítico agudo y la proteinuria asintomática. La hipocomplementemia es un hallazgo frecuente. El pronóstico es severo y la mitad de los pacientes se hallan en insuficiencia renal terminal a los diez años. Los tratamientos ensayados no han modificado esta evolución