Evaluation of C4d expression and staining patterns by immunohistochemistry in renal biopsy samples with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and minimal change disease

INTRODUCTION

C4d is an activation product of lectin pathway of complement. Glomerular deposition of C4d is associated with poor prognosis in different types of immune-related glomerulonephritis. The present study was conducted to investigate expression level of C4d and its staining pattern in renal biopsy of patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and minimal change disease (MCD) by immunohistochemistry method.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this retrospective cross-sectional study, renal biopsy specimens from 46 samples of MCD, 47 samples of FSGS, and 15 samples without glomerular disease as the controls, were subjected to immunohistochemistry staining with C4d. Demographic characteristics and information obtained from light and electron microscopy (EM) of patients were also extracted from their files.

RESULTS

C4d positive staining was observed in 97.9 % of FSGS and 43.5 % of MCD samples, which showed a statistically significant difference (P < 0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of C4d expression for diagnosing FSGS were 97.9 % and 56.5 %, respectively. There was no significant correlation between C4d expression and any of the light and electron microscopy findings, including presence of foam cells, mesangial matrix expansion, interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy, and basement membrane changes in MCD patients. Also, no significant correlation was observed between C4d expression and clinical symptoms of proteinuria or prolonged high level of creatinine in patients with MCD.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The expression of C4d marker had a good sensitivity and negative predictive value in the diagnosis of FSGS.

Rationale and design of the Japanese Biomarkers in Nephrotic Syndrome (J-MARINE) study

INTRODUCTION

Disease subtyping and monitoring are essential for the management of nephrotic syndrome (NS). Although various biomarkers for NS have been reported, their clinical efficacy has not been comprehensively validated in adult Japanese patients.

METHODS

The Japanese Biomarkers in Nephrotic Syndrome (J-MARINE) study is a nationwide, multicenter, and prospective cohort study in Japan, enrolling adult (≥18 years) patients with minimal change disease (MCD), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), membranous nephropathy (MN), membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN), C3 glomerulopathy (C3G), and lupus nephritis (LN). Baseline clinical information and plasma and urine samples will be collected at the time of immunosuppressive therapy initiation or biopsy. Follow-up data and plasma and urine samples will be collected longitudinally based on the designated protocols. Candidate biomarkers will be measured: CD80, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4, and soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor for MCD and FSGS; anti-phospholipase A2 receptor and thrombospondin type-1 domain-containing protein 7A antibodies for MN; fragment Ba, C3a, factor I, and properdin for MPGN/C3G; and CD11b, CD16b, and CD163 for LN. Outcomes include complete and partial remission, relapse of proteinuria, a 30% reduction in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), eGFR decline, and initiation of renal replacement therapy. The diagnostic accuracy and predictive ability for clinical outcomes will be assessed for each biomarker.

RESULTS

From April 2019 to April 2023, 365 patients were enrolled: 145, 21, 138, 10, and 51 cases of MCD, FSGS, MN, MPGN/C3G, and LN, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This study will provide valuable insights into biomarkers for NS and serve as a biorepository for future studies.

Immunoglobulin G4-related disease presenting with nephrotic syndrome due to minimal change disease: a case report

BACKGROUND

Immunoglobulin G4-related disease is an inflammatory disease affecting multiple organs including the kidney. Immunoglobulin G4-related kidney disease most commonly manifests as a tubulointerstitial nephritis and is associated with glomerular disease in a proportion of cases. Membranous nephropathy is the most frequent glomerular lesion. Herein, we report the first documented case of immunoglobulin G4-related disease presenting with nephrotic syndrome owing to minimal change disease.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 67-year-old South Asian male presented to our service with systemic upset and leg swelling. He had heavy proteinuria (urine protein:creatinine ratio 1042 mg/mmol) and was hypoalbuminemic (17 g/L) and hypercholersterolemic (9.3 mmol/L), consistent with the nephrotic syndrome. His serum creatinine was 140 μmol/L, and he was hypocomplementemic (C3 0.59 g/L, C4 < 0.02 g/L) with raised immunoglobulin G4 subclass levels (5.29 g/L). Kidney biopsy demonstrated minimal change disease alongside a plasma-cell-rich tubulointerstitial nephritis with strong positive staining for immunoglobulin G4. A diagnosis of minimal change disease in the setting of immunoglobulin G4-related disease was made. He was commenced on oral prednisolone at 60 mg daily but suffered infectious complications, including necrotizing fasciitis within 3 weeks of starting treatment, ultimately resulting in his death 52 days after initial presentation.

CONCLUSION

This case highlights the potential for immunoglobulin G4-related disease to be associated with a spectrum of glomerular pathologies including minimal change disease. It adds to the differential diagnosis of secondary causes of minimal change disease, and moreover, aids as an important reminder of the potential complications of high-dose steroids used in its treatment.

Relapse of minimal change disease following the third mRNA COVID-19 vaccination: a case report and literature review

Mass vaccination is the most important strategy to terminate the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Reports suggest the potential risk of the development of new-onset or relapse of minimal change disease (MCD) following COVID-19 vaccination; however, details on vaccine-associated MCD remain unclear. A 43-year-old man with MCD, who had been in remission for 29 years, developed nephrotic syndrome 4 days after receiving the third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. His kidney biopsy revealed relapsing MCD. Intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy followed by oral prednisolone therapy was administered, and his proteinuria resolved within 3 weeks. This report highlights the importance of careful monitoring of proteinuria after COVID-19 vaccination in patients with MCD, even if the disease is stable and no adverse events occurred during previous vaccinations. Our case report and literature review of COVID-19 vaccine-associated MCD indicated that MCD relapse tends to occur later after vaccination and slightly more often following the second and subsequent vaccine doses than new-onset MCD.

A pilot study of anti-nephrin antibodies in podocytopaties among adults

AIM

Minimal change disease (MCD) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) are podocytopathies characterized by damage to the glomerular filtration barrier, leading to proteinuria and nephrotic syndrome. The production of anti-podocyte antibodies has been proposed as potential circulating factors contributing to the development of these conditions. The aim of the study is to evaluate the levels of anti-nephrin antibodies in patients with podocytopathies and healthy subjects.

METHODS

In this study, a total of 77 patients with active glomerulopathy and 11 healthy subjects were included. Forty one patients were diagnosed with FSGS, 11 with MCD, and 25 with MN. To measure the levels of anti-nephrin antibodies, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used.

RESULTS

The levels of antibodies to nephrin were significantly higher in patients with MCD 61.2 [28.9-66.3] ng/mL and FSGS 32.5 [17.2-58.4] ng/mL compared to MN 20.3 [14.4-38.4] and healthy individuals 15.3 [12-18.9] ng/mL, p < .05. In patients with primary FSGS, the levels of antibodies to nephrin were significantly higher 45.2 [20-64.3] ng/mL compared to patients with secondary FSGS 26.7 [11.2-44.1] ng/mL, p < .05. There were no significant differences in the remission rate between the anti-nephrin antibodies positive and negative groups (log-rank test: p = .158).

CONCLUSION

The level of anti-nephrin antibodies was found to be significantly higher in patients with MCD and pFSGS compared to those with sFSGS, MN, and healthy subjects. Anti-nephrin antibodies in MCD and primary FSGS may be associated with the severity of podocytopathies, however they did not have an impact on the response to therapy.

Mild mesangial proliferative IgA nephropathy with and without minimal change disease

Mild mesangial proliferative IgA nephropathy with minimal change disease (MCD-IgAN) and mild mesangial proliferative IgA nephropathy without minimal change disease (Non-MCD-IgAN) have similar characteristics on light microscopy. Nevertheless, their discrepancies in clinicopathological features and prognosis remain unknown. A total of 589 patients with biopsy-proven mild mesangial proliferative IgA nephropathy (M-IgAN) combined with light microscopy and immunofluorescence were enrolled. Firstly, the diagnoses of the patients by electron microscopy were recorded and used as the gold standard. We calculated the sensitivity and specificity using nephrotic syndrome (NS) as the diagnostic criteria to identify MCD-IgAN. Then, excluding patients with a 24-h urinary total protein less than 0.5 g/day, incomplete clinical data, or less than the six-month follow-up, we included 184 cases of non-MCD-IgAN and 98 cases of MCD-IgAN. The patients' clinicopathological and outcome data were collected and compared. Among the 589 patients, according to electron microscopy, 381 were diagnosed with non-MCD-IgAN, 167 with MCD-IgAN, and 41 with M-IgAN complicated by other glomerular diseases. Using NS as the diagnostic criteria to distinguish non-MCD-IgAN and MCD-IgAN, the sensitivity and specificity were 83.8% and 99.5%, respectively. The patients in the MCD-IgAN group tended to be younger, hypotensive, with lower urinary erythrocytes, and more likely to achieve complete remission, and fewer patients progressed to the endpoint than those in the non-MCD-IgAN group (all P < 0 .05). NS appears to be an objective indicator for differentiating MCD-IgAN from non-MCD-IgAN. Non-MCD-IgAN varies greatly from MCD-IgAN in clinicopathology and treatment response, with a poorer prognosis.

Exacerbation of Minimal Change Disease Following mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination

BACKGROUND Minimal change disease is a common cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults. There are few reported cases of vaccine-related podocytopathy with nephrotic-range proteinuria in the setting of a minimal change disease history. There have been rare reports of acute renal damage following vaccination to prevent COVID-19 and some cases of exacerbation of ongoing nephropathy. This report is a 33-year-old man with a 22-year history of nephrotic syndrome due to minimal change disease which exacerbated following a third dose of an mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine for COVID-19. CASE REPORT We report a case of nephrotic syndrome after the third dose of the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. The patient presented with mild edema in the bilateral lower extremities and sacrum. Laboratory investigations confirmed nephrotic-range proteinuria and hypoalbuminemia. A kidney sonogram demonstrated mild renal parenchymal disease and a small non-obstructing right renal calculus. Renal biopsy revealed diffuse podocyte foot process effacement, punctuate IgG podocyte cytoplasmic staining, and minimal global glomerulosclerosis, consistent with a diagnosis of a diffuse podocytopathy with a minimal change disease phenotype. The patient was started on oral prednisone treatment, which led to remission of his symptoms and normalization of lab test results with normal BUN and Cr and resolution of proteinuria. Treatment was tapered off over the course of 28 weeks. CONCLUSIONS We presents a case of longstanding minimal change disease that showed exacerbation following a third dose of an mRNA vaccine for SARS-CoV-2. Although this may be a rare association, this case supports that patients with chronic glomerulonephritis need to be monitored.

A case of minimal change nephrotic syndrome complicated by Kimura disease treated with rituximab

Kimura disease (eosinophilic granuloma of the soft tissue) is a benign granulomatous disease complicated by nephrotic syndrome. Herein, we report a case of recurrent minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) complicated by Kimura disease that was successfully treated with rituximab. A 57-year-old man presented to our hospital with relapsed nephrotic syndrome with worsening swelling of the right anterior ear and elevated serum IgE. MCNS was diagnosed on renal biopsy. Treatment with 50 mg of prednisolone rapidly placed the patient in remission. Therefore, RTX 375 mg/m2 was added to the treatment regimen, and steroid therapy was tapered. Early steroid tapering was successful, and the patient is currently in remission. In this case, the nephrotic syndrome flare-up was accompanied by worsening Kimura disease. Rituximab reduced the worsening of symptoms related to Kimura disease, including head and neck lymphadenopathy and elevated IgE levels. Kimura disease and MCNS may share a common IgE-mediated type I allergic condition. Rituximab effectively treats these conditions. In addition, rituximab suppresses Kimura disease activity in patients with MCNS, enables early tapering of steroids, and reduces the total dose of steroids.

Minimal change nephrotic syndrome diagnosed with acute femoral thromboembolism and successfully salvaged limb: a case report

A 64-year-old man visited the outpatient department of our hospital for the first time due to bilateral lower limb edema, which he noticed 1 week before the visit. Pain suddenly developed in the left lower limb while the patient was in the waiting room. Nephrotic syndrome was suspected based on blood and urine test results. Acute arterial thromboembolism in the left lower limb associated with hypercoagulation due to nephrotic syndrome was suspected, and a diagnosis was made using computed tomography angiography. Arterial thrombectomy was urgently performed, and the limb was salvaged without sequelae. Based on renal biopsy, minimal change nephrotic syndrome was diagnosed, and the patient underwent remission induction with steroid therapy. Heparin was drip infused and apixaban was orally administered to prevent recurrent thrombosis. Nephrotic syndrome in the acute phase is often complicated by thrombosis. Particularly, arterial thromboembolism requires prompt treatment, and prophylactic anticoagulation therapy needs to be considered.

Japanese clinical practice patterns of primary nephrotic syndrome 2021: a web-based questionnaire survey of certified nephrologists

BACKGROUND

With the publication of the "Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline for Nephrotic Syndrome 2020," we examined nephrologists' adherence to the recommendations of four of its clinical questions (CQs).

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional web-based survey conducted between November and December 2021. The target population comprised nephrologists certified by the Japanese Society of Nephrology who were recruited using convenience sampling. The participants answered six items regarding the four CQs about adult patients with nephrotic syndrome and their characteristics.

RESULTS

In total, 434 respondents worked in at least 306 facilities, of whom 386 (88.9%) provided outpatient care for primary nephrotic syndrome. Of these patients, 179 (41.2%) answered that they would not measure anti- phospholipase A2 receptor antibody levels in cases of suspected primary membranous nephropathy (MN) in which kidney biopsy was not possible (CQ1). Regarding immunosuppressants as maintenance therapy after relapse of minimal change nephrotic syndrome (CQ2), cyclosporine was the most common choice (290 [72.5%] and 300 [75.0%] of 400 respondents after the first and second relapses, respectively). The most common treatment for steroid-resistant cases of primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (CQ3) was cyclosporine (323 of 387, 83.5%). For the initial treatment of primary MN with nephrotic-range proteinuria (CQ4), corticosteroid monotherapy was the most common choice (240 of 403, 59.6%), followed by corticosteroid and cyclosporine (114, 28.3%).

CONCLUSION

Gaps in recommendations and practices regarding serodiagnosis and treatment of MN (i.e., CQ1 and 4) are observed, suggesting the need to address the barriers to their insurance reimbursement and the lack of evidence behind them.

[Diagnosis and treatment of Minimal Change Disease in adults-2023]

Minimal change disease is a glomerulopathy that clinically manifests as acute onset nephrotic syndrome. A diagnosis is made by renal biopsy, implying the absence of glomerular lesions on light microscopy but detection of extensive podocyte foot process effacement on electron miscroscopy. Considering the typically excellent response to immunosuppressive measures (especially to glucocorticoids), an autoimmune pathogenesis is assumed. Although general prognosis is overall beneficial, steroid-dependent, steroid-resistant and frequently-relapsing disease courses may complicate the management of these patients and necessitate the use of alternative immunosuppressive treatment strategies. Here, the Austrian Society of Nephrology (ÖGN) provides a consensus on how to best diagnose and manage adult patients with minimal change disease.

Glomerular parietal epithelial expression of CD44 in minimal change nephrotic syndrome and primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis: A clinico-pathological study

Introduction

Minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) are the two common causes of nephrotic syndrome (NS) in both children and adults with overlapping clinical features, but with distinct prognostic and therapeutic implications. The distinction between these relies entirely on histopathology, which can sometimes be difficult. CD44 is expressed by activated parietal epithelial cells, plays a role in matrix deposition and thus in the pathogenesis of FSGS.

Aims

To assess the expression of CD44 in MCNS and FSGS and to evaluate its association with the known clinical and histopathological prognostic factors.

Materials and Methods

Thirty cases each of MCNS and FSGS were studied. The clinical, laboratory, histopathological, and CD 44 immunohistochemical data were recorded. The findings were analyzed and correlated. A P value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Statistical association was noted between CD44 positivity and serum creatinine (p = 0.031), estimated glomerular filtration rate (p = 0.040), segmental sclerosis (p < 0.001), tubular atrophy (p = 0.027), interstitial fibrosis (p = 0.027), and histological diagnosis (p < 0.001). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive, and negative predictive values were 90%, 76.67%, 79.41% and 88.46%, respectively.

Conclusions

CD44 immunostain can effectively distinguish MCNS from FSGS. The congruent results of CD44 positivity with known prognostic factors support the possibility of using the CD44 marker as a predictive tool in selecting high-risk patients and offering appropriate therapeutic measures.

Clinical Course of Adult FSGS and Minimal Change Disease in North American and Japanese Cohorts

Key Points

Data from different geographical regions highlighted the differences in clinical manifestations and treatment response of adult FSGS/minimal change disease. There were shared factors that were associated with treatment response across the cohorts: FSGS, higher BP, and lower eGFR. Recognizing geographical difference allows us better understanding of disease biology, risk prediction, and design of future clinical trials.

Background

Regional differences in presentation and clinical course of nephrotic syndrome (NS) have not been studied well because few studies directly compared the data from different intercontinental regions.

Methods

We included adult nephrotic patients with FSGS and minimal change disease (MCD) who received immunosuppressive therapy (IST) in a North American (Nephrotic Syndrome Study Network [NEPTUNE], N =89) or Japanese (Nagoya Kidney Disease Registry [N-KDR], N =288) cohort. Baseline characteristics and rates of complete remission (CR) were compared. Factors associated with time to CR were evaluated by Cox regression models.

Results

NEPTUNE participants had more FSGS (53.9 versus 17.0%) and family history of kidney disease (35.2 versus 3.2%). N-KDR participants were older (median 56 versus 43 years) and demonstrated greater levels of urine protein creatinine ratio (7.73 versus 6.65) and hypoalbuminemia (1.6 versus 2.2 mg/dl). N-KDR participants showed higher proportion of CR (overall: 89.2 versus 62.9%; FSGS: 67.3 versus 43.7%; MCD: 93.7 versus 85.4%). A multivariable model showed that FSGS (versus MCD: hazard ratio [HR], 0.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.20 to 0.41), systolic BP (per 10 mm Hg: HR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.86 to 0.99), and eGFR (per 10 ml/min per 1.73 m2: HR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.09 to 1.24) were associated with time to CR. There were significant interactions in patient age (P = 0.004) and eGFR (P = 0.001) between the cohorts.

Conclusions

The North American cohort had more FSGS and more frequent family history. Japanese patients showed more severe NS with better response to IST. FSGS, hypertension, and lower eGFR were shared predictors of poor treatment response. Identifying shared and unique features across geographically diverse populations may help uncover biologically relevant subgroups, improve prediction of disease course, and better design future multinational clinical trials.

High Albumin Clearance Predicts the Minimal Change Nephrotic Syndrome Relapse

Key Points

Albumin kinetics not only reflected the pathophysiology of minimal change nephrotic syndrome but was also a predictor of relapse. The high estimated 24-hour albumin clearance predicts the minimal change nephrotic syndrome relapse. The 24-hour albumin clearance can easily be calculated from only serum albumin and urinary protein excretion, which are routine laboratory measurements.

Background

Although albuminuria leakage that occurs in minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) may be related to the disease state, albumin kinetics in MCNS has never been evaluated. In this study, we investigated albumin kinetics in adult Japanese patients with MCNS by the estimated 24-hour albumin clearance (eCALB) and examined the association between eCALB and relapse.

Methods

We retrospectively identified 103 adult patients with a histological diagnosis of MCNS from four hospitals in Japan (2010–2020). The primary outcome is the first relapse in 2 years after complete remission after corticosteroid therapy. The eCALB [µ l/min] was defined as (2.71828(0.0445+0.9488×log(urinary protein) [g/24 hours])/(serum albumin [g/dl]×1440 [min/24 hours]) for women and (2.71828(-0.1522+0.9742×log(urinary protein) [g/24 hours])/(serum albumin [g/dl]×1440 [min/24 hours]) for men.

Results

Relapse was observed in 44 patients (103 kidney biopsy samples; 42.7%). The mean patient age was 41.0 years. Patients had an eGFR of 71.0 ml/min per 1.73 m2, urinary protein excretion of 6.8 g/d, serum albumin of 1.4 g/dl, and eCALB of 2.27 μ l/min. eCALB was strongly associated with hypoalbuminemia, severe proteinuria, lipid abnormalities, and coagulopathy. In the multivariable analysis, a high eCALB was significantly associated with relapse after adjusting for age, eGFR, time to complete remission, and urinary protein excretion (adjusted hazard ratio, 5.027; 95% confidence interval, 1.88 to 13.47; P = 0.001).

Conclusions

This study revealed that eCALB, which could substitute albumin kinetics, reflected the severity of MCNS, and a high eCALB was associated with recurrence.

Shared genetic risk across different presentations of gene test-negative idiopathic nephrotic syndrome

BACKGROUND

Idiop athic nephrotic syndrome (INS) is classified in children according to response to initial corticosteroid therapy into steroid-sensitive (SSNS) and steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS), and in adults according to histology into minimal change disease (MCD) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). However, there is well-recognised phenotypic overlap between these entities. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have shown a strong association between SSNS and variation at HLA, suggesting an underlying immunological basis. We sought to determine whether a risk score generated from genetic variants associated with SSNS could be used to gain insight into the pathophysiology of INS presenting in other ways.

METHODS

We developed an SSNS genetic risk score (SSNS-GRS) from the five variants independently associated with childhood SSNS in a previous European GWAS. We quantified SSNS-GRS in independent cohorts of European individuals with childhood SSNS, non-monogenic SRNS, MCD, and FSGS, and contrasted them with SSNS-GRS quantified in individuals with monogenic SRNS, membranous nephropathy (a different immune-mediated disease-causing nephrotic syndrome), and healthy controls.

RESULTS

The SSNS-GRS was significantly elevated in cohorts with SSNS, non-monogenic SRNS, MCD, and FSGS compared to healthy participants and those with membranous nephropathy. The SSNS-GRS in all cohorts with non-monogenic INS were also significantly elevated compared to those with monogenic SRNS.

CONCLUSIONS

The shared genetic risk factors among patients with different presentations of INS strongly suggests a shared autoimmune pathogenesis when monogenic causes are excluded. Use of the SSNS-GRS, in addition to testing for monogenic causes, may help to classify patients presenting with INS. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.

Nephrotic syndrome with Minimal Change Disease and Atopy in NorthAfrican adults

INTRODUCTION

In adults, minimal change disease (MCD) accounts for 15 to 25% of nephrotic syndrome (NS). Numerous reports have suggested a link between NS and atopy. However, data on treatment and prognosis of NS associated with allergy are limited.

AIM

To examine the presenting characteristics, treatments and outcomes of adults with allergic MCD in a North African center.

METHODS

This was an observational study using retrospectively collected data. Patients were recruited from the Nephrology department of Sahloul Hospital (Sousse, Tunisia) from January 2006 to December 2020. Adults with a biopsy proved MCD, which was associated with atopy, were included.

RESULTS

Fifteen patients (eight males, age mean±SD: 34±13 years) were included. High eosinophil and immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels were noted in three and twelve patients respectively. The IgE mean level at the initial presentation was 1431 IU/ml. Allergic skin tests were positive in nine patients. All patients were treated with corticosteroids, five had anti-histamine therapy and five had hyposensitization therapy, which was successful in two patients. Thirteen patients had relapsed during follow-up. Mean eosinophil level was significantly higher in patients with frequent relapses compared to those with infrequent relapses (5415/mm³ vs. 239.12/mm³, respectively, p=0.022). Two patients had progressed to chronic renal failure.

CONCLUSION

It is important to search for atopic disorders in patients with MCD to better control this disease and use specific treatments. However, the efficacy of anti-allergic therapies has to be proven.

Anti-Leucine-rich glioma-inactivated Protein 1 antibody-associated encephalitis complicated by minimal change nephrotic syndrome: a case report

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study was to summarize the clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of leucine-rich glioma inactivation protein 1 (LGI-1) antibody-associated encephalitis coexistence of minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS), moreover, to strengthen the awareness of the disease. Increasing number of studies describe coexistence of autoimmune encephalitis and other systemic autoimmune diseases.

CASE REPORT

Here we report a case of a patient with anti- LGI1 antibody-associated encephalitis, who presented with cognitive dysfunction, faciobrachial dystonic seizures (FBDS), sleep disturbance, and hyponatremia. Treatment with immunoglobulins, corticosteroids, levetiracetam and oxcarbazepine was proven effective for this patient. The patient had a history of MCNS diagnosed by renal biopsy and responded to treatment with low dose of oral corticosteroids.

CONCLUSIONS

This case expanded the spectrum of autoimmune comorbidities in patients with anti-LGI1 encephalitis.

Minimal Change Disease in an Adult: A Case Report

Minimal change disease is an important cause of nephrotic syndrome in children, however, few cases are seen among adults. There is very little literature regarding the occurrence of minimal change disease in adults. We reported a case of a 63-year-old male who presented with the complaint of swelling around the eyes mostly during the morning for 18 days and frothing of urine for 7 days. On examination, the patient was ill-looking and had edema around the eyes and over the ankles. After preliminary investigations, renal biopsy was performed and electron microscopy revealed diffuse effacement of foot processes of visceral epithelial cells suggesting minimal change disease (podocytopathy). The patient has been treated with tablet prednisolone 60 mg per oral once daily, tablet ramipril 2.5 mg per oral once daily, and tablet torsemide 20 mg per oral twice daily. Hence, minimal change disease should also be considered as a differential diagnosis in adults presenting with the features of nephrotic syndrome.

Immunoglobulin G4-related Pleuritis Complicated with Minimal Change Disease

A 70-year-old woman with bilateral pleural effusion and respiratory failure was admitted to our hospital. Nephrotic syndrome due to minimal change disease had been diagnosed four months before admission. Because blood tests and a pleural fluid analysis did not reveal the etiology of her condition, we performed a video-assisted thoracoscopic pleural biopsy. No specific thoracoscopic findings were noted. The pathological findings revealed an increase in immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-positive cells; IgG4-related pleuritis was diagnosed. Her pleuritis improved with oral corticosteroid therapy. A further investigation was performed on previous kidney samples; however, the etiology of the nephrotic syndrome was not IgG4-related disease but minimal change disease.

Population-based identification and temporal trend of children with primary nephrotic syndrome: The Kaiser Permanente nephrotic syndrome study

INTRODUCTION

Limited population-based data exist about children with primary nephrotic syndrome (NS).

METHODS

We identified a cohort of children with primary NS receiving care in Kaiser Permanente Northern California, an integrated healthcare delivery system caring for >750,000 children. We identified all children <18 years between 1996 and 2012 who had nephrotic range proteinuria (urine ACR>3500 mg/g, urine PCR>3.5 mg/mg, 24-hour urine protein>3500 mg or urine dipstick>300 mg/dL) in laboratory databases or a diagnosis of NS in electronic health records. Nephrologists reviewed health records for clinical presentation and laboratory and biopsy results to confirm primary NS.

RESULTS

Among 365 cases of confirmed NS, 179 had confirmed primary NS attributed to presumed minimal change disease (MCD) (72%), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) (23%) or membranous nephropathy (MN) (5%). The overall incidence of primary NS was 1.47 (95% Confidence Interval:1.27-1.70) per 100,000 person-years. Biopsy data were available in 40% of cases. Median age for patients with primary NS was 6.9 (interquartile range:3.7 to 12.9) years, 43% were female and 26% were white, 13% black, 17% Asian/Pacific Islander, and 32% Hispanic.

CONCLUSION

This population-based identification of children with primary NS leveraging electronic health records can provide a unique approach and platform for describing the natural history of NS and identifying determinants of outcomes in children with primary NS.

Association of initial prednisolone dose with remission, relapse, and infectious complications in adult-onset minimal change disease

BACKGROUND

A dose of 0.5-1 mg/kg/day of prednisolone (PSL) is administered for the initial treatment of minimal change disease (MCD). However, little is known about the optimal PSL dose for the initial treatment of MCD.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective multicenter cohort study of treatment-naive adult patients with MCD diagnosed by renal biopsy from 1981 to 2015 in whom PSL monotherapy was performed as the initial treatment. The exposure of interest was an initial median PSL dose of < 0.63 mg/kg/day (Group L) compared to ≥ 0.63 mg/kg/day (Group H). Cumulative remission and relapse after remission were compared between these groups using Cox regression adjusted for baseline characteristics.

RESULTS

Ninety-one patients met the inclusion criteria. During a median follow-up of 2.98 years, 87 (95.6%) patients achieved complete remission, and 47.1% relapsed after remission. There was no significant difference in the remission rate between the groups at 4 weeks of follow-up (66.7 vs. 82.6%). The median time to remission in Group L was comparable to that in Group H (17.0 vs. 14.0 days). A multivariable Cox hazard model revealed that the initial PSL dose was not a significant predictor of remission. The cumulative steroid doses at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after treatment initiation were significantly lower in Group L than in Group H.

CONCLUSION

The initial PSL dose was not associated with time to remission, remission rate, time to relapse, or relapse rate. Therefore, a low initial steroid dose may be sufficient to achieve remission.