Antinuclear Antibody-Negative Lupus Nephritis with Full House Nephropathy: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

2015 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. 451-459 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sierra C. Simmons ◽  
Maxwell L. Smith ◽  
April Chang-Miller ◽  
Mira T. Keddis

Lupus nephritis (LN) is a serious and common complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) that predisposes to significant morbidity and mortality. Studies show that prompt diagnosis and treatment improves patient survival. We present a case of a 49-year-old female with an atypical presentation of LN who initially presented with new-onset hypertension, edema, arthritis, serositis and recently diagnosed leukocytoclastic vasculitis who later developed acute kidney injury, hematuria and nephrotic syndrome. Laboratory testing showed mixed cryoglobulinemia and elevated perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic (p-ANCA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) antibodies. SLE-related serologies were negative. Kidney biopsy showed diffuse proliferative global glomerulonephritis with a full-house nephropathy pattern on immunofluorescence suggestive of LN. Due to high clinical suspicion and renal biopsy findings, she was treated for LN with prompt renal response to immunosuppression. Cryoglobulins, p-ANCA and MPO titers normalized and the negative SLE serologies remained negative. Literature review on antinuclear antibody (ANA)-negative and seronegative LN revealed the following patient presentations: (1) renal-limited or renal and extra-renal manifestations of SLE with negative serologies and (2) renal and extra-renal manifestations of SLE with negative serologies at presentation who develop positive serologies later in follow-up. Both groups represent a unique and challenging cohort of patients who may require longer follow-up and further testing to rule out other glomerular diseases that may mimic LN on renal biopsy. The absence of SLE-related serologies should be weighed against a high pre-test probability of ANA-negative or seronegative LN. If highly suspected, the patient should be treated promptly with close monitoring.

Folia Medica ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 245-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria E. Tsanyan ◽  
Sergey K. Soloviev ◽  
Stefka G. Radenska-Lopovok ◽  
Anna V. Torgashina ◽  
Ekaterina V. Nikolaeva ◽  
...  

Abstract Aim: TO assess the effects of rituximab (RTM) therapy on clinical and morphologic activity of lupus nephritis (LN). Material and methods: The study included 45 patients with confirmed diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), unaffected by previously received standard therapy with glucocorticoids (GCs) and cytostatics. The disease activity was assessed using Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI 2K); to assess the LN activity we used the SLICC RA/RE index. Forty-five patients with LN were given puncture renal biopsy prior to prescribing RTM; 16 patients had repeated renal biopsy 1 year and more after beginning the anti-B-cell therapy. LN was graded histologically in accordance with the WHO classification (2003) with indices of activity (AI) and chronicity (CI). Results: The predominant number of patients had class III - IV of LN. The repeated renal biopsies demonstrated that LN had undergone a transition into a more favourable morphologic class, which was associated, in most of these cases, with a positive therapeutic effect. The follow-up dynamics showed a statistically significant reduction of AI (p=0.006), and no statistically significant changes in the CI (p = 0.14). Conclusion: The long-term follow-up in the study has showed that repeated courses of anti-B-cell therapy with RTM have a positive effect both on SLE activity and generally on the renal process. The reduction of the morphologic class of LN as assessed in the repeated renal biopsies is a convincing proof for this. Eleven out of 16 patients experienced transition of the morphologic class into a more favourable type, which in most cases was combined with lower AI (p = 0.006). We found no evidence of increase in the CI (p = 0.14).


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan Burkhart ◽  
Nina Shah ◽  
Michael Abel ◽  
James D. Oliver ◽  
Matthew Lewin

Renal involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is usually immune complex mediated and may have multiple different presentations. Pauci-immune necrotizing and crescentic glomerulonephritis (NCGN) refers to extensive glomerular inflammation with few or no immune deposits that may result in rapid decline in renal function. We report a case of a 79-year-old Hispanic male with a history of secondary membranous nephropathy (diagnosed by renal biopsy 15 years previously) who was admitted with acute kidney injury and active urinary sediment. P-ANCA titers and anti-myeloperoxidase antibodies were positive. The renal biopsy was diagnostic for NCGN superimposed on a secondary membranous nephropathy. A previous diagnosis of SLE based on American College of Rheumatology criteria was discovered via Veteran’s Administration records review after the completion of treatment for pauci-immune NCGN. ANCAs are detected in 20–31% of patients with SLE. There may be an association between SLE and ANCA seropositivity. In patients with lupus nephritis and biopsy findings of necrotizing and crescentic glomerulonephritis, without significant immune complex deposition, ANCA testing should be performed. In patients with secondary membranous nephropathy SLE should be excluded.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. e14-e14
Author(s):  
Eman Hassan Abdelbary ◽  
Noha Farouk Ahmed ◽  
Adel Abdelmohsen Ghorab

Introduction: Lupus nephritis (LN) is a substantial manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). HDAC6 is overexpressed in various kidney diseases, and its inhibition slows kidney injury progression. Urinary TFF3 increases in chronic kidney diseases (CKDs) and may be associated with patient’s outcome. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the relationship between renal HDAC6 and TFF3 proteins expression and with clinicopathologic characteristics and outcome of LN. Patients and Methods: HDAC6 and TFF3 proteins’ expression was immunohistochemically detected in 56 cases of LN. They were correlated to patients’ age, gender, urinary 24 hours protein and serum creatinine levels at baseline and during follow up. Additionally, they were correlated to LN classes, activity index (AI) and chronicity index (CI) and relapse free survival (RFS). Results: HDAC6 overexpression was significantly associated with serum creatinine and 24 hours proteinuria levels at baseline (P = 0.041 and P =0.026 respectively) and during follow up (P < 0.001). It was associated with AI and CI of class III and IV LN (P = 0.047 and 0.003 respectively). TFF3 overexpression was associated with higher serum creatinine and more proteinuria at baseline (P = 0.015 and 0.001 respectively) and during follow up (P < 0.001). It was significantly associated with higher CI (P = 0.001). Both markers were associated with shorter RFS (P < 0.001). Conclusion: HDAC6 and TFF3 proteins are associated with clinicopathologic features of renal damage in LN. They are reliable predictors of patients’ RFS, which makes them good candidates for risk stratification of patients and targeted therapy.


Lupus ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 118-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Segarra ◽  
K V Arredondo ◽  
J Jaramillo ◽  
E Jatem ◽  
M T Salcedo ◽  
...  

Background and Objectives Resistant lupus nephritis (LN) has been associated with the persistence of long-lived plasma cells. Preliminary studies identified bortezomib as a potential treatment option for patients with refractory LN. The aim of this study was to analyze the efficacy and safety of bortezomib in the treatment of severe refractory LN. Methods This retrospective study included 12 female patients diagnosed for the first time with class IV or IV/V LN with acute or rapidly progressive kidney injury ( n = 11) and/or severe nephrotic syndrome ( n = 1) who showed resistance to induction therapy with cyclophosphamide, steroids, mycophenolate, and rituximab, and were treated with either intravenous or subcutaneous bortezomib plus intravenous dexamethasone. Results All patients with acute or rapidly progressive kidney injury showed a significant reduction in both biochemical and immunological activity after a mean of 6 (minimum 5, maximum 7) weekly cycles of bortezomib regimen, with a significant increase in C3 levels and a significant decrease of anti-ds DNA antibody titers, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index score, serum creatinine, and proteinuria. One patient (8.3%) achieved a complete response, and 10 patients (83.4%) achieved a partial response. During follow-up, all these patients maintained partial responses under treatment with mycophenolate and low-dose glucocorticoids. The patient with refractory nephrotic syndrome showed a partial response but relapsed 11 months after the end of bortezomib treatment and was resistant to treatment. A significant decrease in serum IgG levels after initiation of bortezomib treatment was observed in all patients, five of them (41.6%) showed hypogammaglobulinemia (<500 mg/dl), but no patient suffered from opportunistic infections; in only two patients (16.6%) hypogammaglobulinemia persisted at the end of follow-up. Two patients (16.6%) suffered from sensory neuropathy, which led to bortezomib treatment discontinuation. Conclusions Bortezomib may be an effective option for refractory LN, but close monitoring must be performed for possible adverse events such as peripheral neuropathy and hypogammaglobulinemia.


Lupus ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 096120332110135
Author(s):  
Luis Manuel Ramírez-Gómez ◽  
Ivette Ruiz-Leija ◽  
David Martínez-Galla ◽  
Jaime Antonio Borjas-García ◽  
Carlos Abud-Mendoza ◽  
...  

Introduction: Lupus nephritis requires antinuclear antibodies as classification criteria. There is a group of patients with nephrotic syndrome and conclusive histopathological findings for lupus nephritis, without classification criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or extrarenal manifestations. These groups of patients have been described as “lupus-like” nephritis or “renal-limited lupus nephritis”. Methods: Renal biopsy with histopathological evaluation with “full-house” immune-reactants in patients with negative antinuclear antibodies. Results: We report four cases with nephrotic syndrome and one with hematuria-proteinuria syndrome: two with impaired glomerular filtration rate and three with preserved renal function; urinary sediment with hematuria without dysmorphia and without extrarenal manifestations for autoimmune disease, negative antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and anti-double stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA); normal C3 and C4 complement levels. Renal biopsy in all cases was consistent for lupus nephritis class V. All patients received treatment as lupus nephritis protocol; only one case received induction with cyclophosphamide and methylprednisolone boluses, the rest received mycophenolic acid and prednisone as induction and maintenance. Two of the cases induced with mycophenolic acid relapsed, requiring cyclophosphamide for 6 months, achieving complete remission. All patients received renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockade and hydroxychloroquine. At follow-up, 4 cases still have negative antibodies and are without extrarenal manifestations for SLE classification criteria. The other case, during pregnancy several years after initial diagnosis, had preeclampsia with nephrotic proteinuria and a new determination of positive ANA and anti-dsDNA antibodies, complement levels below normal limits. Conclusion: The follow-up of patients with membranous glomerulopathy must be close; lupus like nephritis may be the first manifestation of the disease.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1519.2-1519
Author(s):  
D. J. Park ◽  
S. E. Choi ◽  
H. Xu ◽  
J. H. Kang ◽  
S. S. Lee

Background:Recent studies have shown that the simultaneous positivity of anti-double stranded DNA, -nucleosome, and -histone antibodies (3-pos) is prevalent in lupus nephritis (LN) patients compared to non-renal systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients.Objectives:The aim of this study was to define the clinical, biologic, histopathologic, and prognostic differences according to the simultaneous reactivity to those antibodies in Korean patients with biopsy-proven LN.Methods:We studied 102 patients who underwent kidney biopsy prior to the start of induction treatment and who were subsequently treated with immunosuppressives and followed-up for more than 12 months. Sociodemographic, clinical, laboratory, and treatment-related data at the time of kidney biopsy and during follow-up were obtained by a review of patients’ charts. Antibodies were detected by immunoblot analysis or ELISA at the time of renal biopsy.Results:Fifty-eight (35.4%) of the total of 102 LN patients had 3-pos. In comparison with non-3-pos patients, the patients with 3-pos showed a higher SLE Disease Activity Index-2000 score (P=0.002), lower lymphocyte level (p=0.004), higher proportion of proteinuria >3.5 g/24 hr (p=0.005), and higher positivity of urinary sediments (p=0.005) at the time of renal biopsy. In the renal histopathologic findings, the patients with 3-pos had more proliferative LN (p=0.015) and also showed more endocapillary hypercellularity, sub-endothelial hyaline deposits, fibrinoid necrosis/karyorrhexis, and cellular crescents in the disease activity index (p=0.016, p=0.045, p=0.002, and p=0.022, respectively), as well as a higher activity score (p=0.011). After a median follow-up of 83.2 months, rapid glomerular filtration rate decline was frequently observed in patients with 3-pos compared to those without (p=0.012).Conclusion:Our findings suggest that 3-pos is related to severe LN and, furthermore, that patients with 3-pos show a rapid decline of renal function compared to those without.Disclosure of Interests:None declared


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1048.1-1048
Author(s):  
W. Hu

Background:Classical lupus nephritis (LN) is characterized by glomerular immune complex(IC) deposition with glomerular proliferation, basement membrane destruction and cell infiltration. Non-IC mediated renal injury with thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) was also reported in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE-renal TMA), but most studies were reported in patients with both LN and renal TMA.Objectives:In this study, clinical features and outcomes of SLE-renal TMA in absence of obvious IC in SLE patients were analyzed.Methods:Patients with glomerular TMA and/or vascular TMA in the absence of obvious subendothelial or epithelial immune deposits were screened out from 2332 biopsied in SLE patients who underwent first renal biopsy from January 2005 to August 2016. Their clinical, histological features and outcomes were retrospectively analyzed.Results:In 2332 renal biopsies obtained from SLE patients, 257 (11.0%) showed renal TMA, of which 237 showed both renal TMA and LN, and 20 biopsies had only renal TMA (SLE-renal TMA). There were 2 males and 18 females with an average age of (25 ± 10) years. The median course of SLE and LN were 3.0(1.0, 6.0) and 0.8(0.5, 1.9) months. All 20 patients deserved acute kidney injury, of which 11 (55%) needed renal replacement therapy (RRT) and 12 (60%) were nephrotic syndrome. Blood system involvement was found in all cases, including 13 cases (65.0%) with TMA triad (microvascular hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia and elevated lactate dehydrogenase).Pathological examination showed that 17 cases (85.0%) had both glomerular TMA and vascular TMA. Immunofluorescence and electron microscopy showed that 8 cases (40%) had no IC deposition in glomerulus and 12 cases (60%) had only IC deposition in mesangium. Acute tubulointerstitial lesions in patients requiring RRT were more serious than those no needing for RRT((43.6±24.9) %vs(21.7±20.1) %,P=0.047). The fusion range of foot process was positively correlated with proteinuria (r2= 0.347,P=0.006).All patients received high-dose methylprednisolone pulse therapy. Four patients received plasma exchange and three patients received gamma globulin, respectively. Eleven patients requiring RRT all stop RRT in a median time of 16.0 (9.0, 30.0) days. During a median follow-up of 58.0 (36.0, 92.3) months, complete remission (CR) was obtained in 15 cases, partial remission in 4 cases and no remission in 1 case. Six cases (30%) relapsed. No case died or progressed to end stage renal disease.Conclusion:Renal injury characterized by TMA is not uncommon in SLE renal biopsy cases. The clinical manifestation is special and the renal injury is serious. The renal outcome is good by intensive immunosuppressive therapy. It should be considered as a unique type of renal injury in SLE.References:[1]Moake JL. Thrombotic microangiopathies. N Engl J Med. 2002. 347(8): 589-600.[2]Anders HJ, Weening JJ. Kidney disease in lupus is not always ‘lupus nephritis’. Arthritis Res Ther. 2013. 15(2): 108.[3]Song D, Wu LH, Wang FM, et al. The spectrum of renal thrombotic microangiopathy in lupus nephritis. Arthritis Res Ther. 2013. 15(1): R12.[4]Hu WX, Liu ZZ, Chen HP, Zhang HT, Li LS, Liu ZH. Clinical characteristics and prognosis of diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis with thrombotic microangiopathy. Lupus. 2010. 19(14): 1591-8.[5]Tomov S, Lazarchick J, Self SE, Bruner ET, Budisavljevic MN. Kidney-limited thrombotic microangiopathy in patients with SLE treated with romiplostim. Lupus. 2013. 22(5): 504-9.[6]Li C, Yap D, Chan G, et al. Clinical Outcomes and Clinico-pathological Correlations in Lupus Nephritis with Kidney Biopsy Showing Thrombotic Microangiopathy. J Rheumatol. 2019 .[7]Chen MH, Chen MH, Chen WS, et al. Thrombotic microangiopathy in systemic lupus erythematosus: a cohort study in North Taiwan. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2011. 50(4): 768-75.[8]Park MH, AUID- Oho, Caselman N, Ulmer S, Weitz IC, AUID- Oho. Complement-mediated thrombotic microangiopathy associated with lupus nephritis. Blood Adv. 2018. 2(16): 2090-2094.Disclosure of Interests:None declared


Lupus ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 096120332110286
Author(s):  
Kathleen M Vazzana ◽  
Ankana Daga ◽  
Beatrice Goilav ◽  
Ekemini A Ogbu ◽  
Daryl M Okamura ◽  
...  

Lupus nephritis (LN) is a life-threatening manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and is more common in children than adults. The epidemiology and management of childhood-onset SLE (cSLE) have changed over time, prompting the need to reassess expected outcomes. The purpose of this study is to use the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA) prospective registry to validate historical principles of LN in a contemporary, real-world cohort. After an extensive literature review, six principles of LN in cSLE were identified. The CARRA registry was queried to evaluate these principles in determining the rate of LN in cSLE, median time from cSLE diagnosis to LN, short-term renal outcomes, and frequency of rituximab as an induction therapy. Of the 677 cSLE patients in the CARRA registry, 32% had documented LN. Decline in kidney function was more common in Black cSLE patients than non-Black patients ( p = 0.04). Black race was associated with worse short-term renal outcomes. In short-term follow up, most children with LN had unchanged or improved kidney function, and end stage kidney disease (ESKD) was rare. Ongoing follow-up of cSLE patients in the CARRA registry will be necessary to evaluate long-term outcomes to inform risk, management, and prognosis of LN in cSLE.


Lupus ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (13) ◽  
pp. 1448-1456 ◽  
Author(s):  
K C Maloney ◽  
T S Ferguson ◽  
H D Stewart ◽  
A A Myers ◽  
K De Ceulaer

Background Epidemiological studies in systemic lupus erythematosus have been reported in the literature in many countries and ethnic groups. Although systemic lupus erythematosus in Jamaica has been described in the past, there has not been a detailed evaluation of systemic lupus erythematosus patients in urban Jamaica, a largely Afro-Caribbean population. The goal of this study was to describe the clinical features, particularly disease activity, damage index and immunological features, of 150 systemic lupus erythematosus subjects. Methods 150 adult patients (≥18 years) followed in rheumatology clinic at a tertiary rheumatology hospital centre (one of two of the major public referral centres in Jamaica) and the private rheumatology offices in urban Jamaica who fulfilled Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) criteria were included. Data were collected by detailed clinical interview and examination and laboratory investigations. Hence demographics, SLICC criteria, immunological profile, systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) and SLICC/American College of Rheumatology (ACR) damage index (SDI) were documented. Results Of the 150 patients, 145 (96.7%) were female and five (3.3%) were male. The mean age at systemic lupus erythematosus onset was 33.2 ± 10.9. Mean disease duration was 11.3 ± 8.6 years. The most prevalent clinical SLICC criteria were musculoskeletal, with 141 (94%) of subjects experiencing arthralgia/arthritis, followed by mucocutaneous manifestations of alopecia 103 (68.7%) and malar rash 46 (30.7%), discoid rash 45 (30%) and photosensitivity 40 (26.7%). Lupus nephritis (biopsy proven) occurred in 42 (28%) subjects and 25 (16.7%) met SLICC diagnostic criteria with only positive antinuclear antibodies/dsDNA antibodies and lupus nephritis on renal biopsy. The most common laboratory SLICC criteria were positive antinuclear antibodies 136 (90.7%) followed by anti-dsDNA antibodies 95 (63.3%) and low complement (C3) levels 38 (25.3%). Twenty-seven (18%) met SLICC diagnostic criteria with only positive antinuclear antibodies/anti-dsDNA antibodies and lupus nephritis on renal biopsy. Mean SLEDAI score was 6.9 ± 5.1 with a range of 0–32. Organ damage occurred in 129 (86%) patients; mean SDI was 2.4 ± 1.8, with a range of 0–9. Conclusion These results are similar to the clinical manifestations reported in other Afro-Caribbean populations; however, distinct differences exist with respect to organ involvement and damage, particularly with respect to renal involvement, which appears to be reduced in our participants.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (9) ◽  
pp. 2343-2344
Author(s):  
Aijaz Z. Khan Chachar ◽  
Miqdad Haider ◽  
Naveed A. Lashari ◽  
M. Mueed Yasin ◽  
Hafiz B. A. Kalhoro ◽  
...  

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder, multisystemic in nature more common in females of childbearing age. There are certain risk factors which predispose to this disease. It affects various organs, kidney is among them. Almost 60% patients having SLE ultimately leads to kidney dysfunction at some stage of the life. Aim: To find out pattern of histopathological findings of lupus nephritis as per WHO classification on kidney biopsy in Pakistan. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was completed in department of Medicine, Fatima Memorial Hospital, Lahore, from March 2016 to May, 2018. Total sample size was 165 patients. Only patients who fulfilled the 2012 SLICC (Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics) criteria were included in the study. SPSS version 25.0 was used data analysis. Results: Age of the patients was between 31-50 years i.e. 114(69.09%), mean and SD was 43.96±4.84 years, females were more commonly affected by calculating 99(59.70%). Patterns of lupus nephritis as per WHO classification and renal biopsy were noted which shows 18(10.91%) had Class I, 53(32.12%) Class II, 43(26.07%) Class III, 35(21.20%) Class IV, 10(6.06%) Class V and 6(3.64%) had Class VI. Conclusion: Class II and Class III Lupus Nephritis are the most common modalities found in patients of SLE. Every patient with Lupus Nephritis should undergo a Renal Biopsy for correct diagnosis of the class of this disease and further management accordingly. Keywords: Lupus Nephritis, SLE, renal biopsy


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