Henoch-Schönlein Nephritis Manifesting with Purpura 15 years after Diagnosis of IgA Nephropathy.

Henoch-Schönlein nephritis or immunoglobulin A (IgA) vasculitis is characterized by purpura, arthralgia, abdominal pain, and glomerulonephritis with glomerular IgA deposition. Notably, the presence of purpura is essential to diagnose this disease. We report the case of a patient in whom proteinuria and haematuria were detected during screening tests and he was diagnosed with IgA nephropathy at 20 years of age. Corticosteroids were administered for 7 years and were subsequently tapered. At 35 years of age, he noticed purpura on his lower extremities and was diagnosed with anaphylactoid purpura. Following the appearance of purpura, urinalysis revealed an increase in urinary protein levels from 0.7 g/g creatinine (Cr) to 1.4 g/gCr, and his serum Cr levels increased from 1.1 mg/dL to 1.35 mg/dL. Two months later purpura subsided, and his urinary protein level and serum Cr level were restored to the former levels. Although the cause remains unknown, an interval may occasionally be observed between the appearance of purpura and urinary abnormalities. However, to our knowledge to date, a 15-year interval is the longest interval, in such cases, reported in the literature.

Minimal Change Nephrotic Syndrome Relapse after 52 Years of Remission: A Case Report.

Minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) is the most common cause of nephrotic syndrome in children and can also present in adults. Corticosteroids generally induce remission of MCNS, and relapses are common after reduction or discontinuation of corticosteroids. We experienced a rare case of steroid-sensitive MCNS where the patient relapsed after 52 years of remission. The patient was a 61-year-old Japanese male who visited our clinic for an edema of the lower extremities which had already persisted for a few days. Laboratory testing showed massive urinary protein and low serum total protein and albumin levels. Therefore, he was diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome. He had a history of nephrotic syndrome that initially developed when he was 5 years old. Although corticosteroids reduced the urinary protein level, frequent relapses occurred when their doses were reduced, or when they were discontinued. He had previously experienced a relapse when he was 9 years old. For his current condition, treatment with corticosteroids and diuretics for 1 week reduced his edema and proteinuria. We suspected that this is a case of MCNS and that the present event is a relapse. Thus, we concluded that this is a very rare case of steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome that relapsed after 52 years of remission.