| Abstract | Coeliac sprue (CS) may occur in association with immune complex-mediated diseases, including IgA nephropathy, dermatitis herpetiformis and thyroiditis. An association of CS with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) type 1 is rare, with only two prior cases reported. Here we describe a 45-year-old man with no prior medical history who presented initially with microhaematuria, subnephrotic proteinuria and hypocomplementaemia. A renal biopsy revealed MPGN type 1 with negative serologic workup for secondary causes. The patient was treated conservatively with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. Several months later, he developed daily non-bloody diarrhoea and was found to have worsening hypoalbuminaemia, hypophosphataemia and severe iron deficiency anaemia. A diagnosis of CS was established based on elevated tTGA (IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase) antibody and positive IgA antiendomysial antibody titres. Proteinuria resolved completely following the initiation of a gluten-free diet, without the use of immunosuppressive therapy and despite tapering of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. This case illustrates that CS-associated MPGN may precede overt clinical evidence of coeliac disease and may respond to gluten-free diet, without resort to immunosuppressive therapy. |
| Authors | Kenar D Jhaveri, Vivette D D'Agati, Robert Pursell, David Serur
(Affiliation: Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, New York Presbyterian Hospital at Weill Cornell Medical Centre, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA. Kdj200 at gmail.com)
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| Journal | Nephrology, dialysis, transplantation : official publication of the European Dialysis and Transplant Association - European Renal Association
(Nephrol Dial Transplant)
Vol. 24
Issue 11
Pg. 3545-8
(Nov 2009)
ISSN: 1460-2385 [Electronic] England |
| PMID | 19625370
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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