A Case of "Full-house" Nephropathy in a Non-lupus Patient

ABSTRACT

Histopathologic evidence of "full-house" immune complex deposits is a pathognomonic feature of lupus nephritis. This report presents the case of a 12-year-old boy with persistent microscopic hematuria and proteinuria. He was diagnosed with "full-house" nephropathy based on a renal biopsy. However, there was no other clinical or biological evidence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Although the potential for isolated "full-house" nephropathy preceding SLE is unclear, such patients should be followed for clinical signs and autoantibodies of SLE. In most cases, microscopic hematuria has a good prognosis, and follow-up usually requires only regular urinalysis. However, we should be aware of isolated "full-house" nephropathy that remains asymptomatic for a long time, as few patients with no clinical signs and negative serology ultimately develop SLE.