[Glomerulopathy with mesangial IgA deposits in primary hemochromatosis]

Secondary IgA Nephropathy and IgA-Associated Nephropathy: A Systematic Review of Case Reports

Primary (pIgAN), secondary IgA nephropathy (sIgAN), and IgA-associated nephropathy can be distinguished. While pIgAN has been thoroughly studied, information about the etiology of sIgAN remains scarce. As concerns sIgAN, several studies suggest that different etiologic factors play a role and ultimately lead to a pathophysiologic process similar to that of pIgAN. In this article, we review a vast number of cases in order to determine the novel putative underlying diseases of sIgAN. Moreover, updates on the common pathophysiology of primary disorders and sIgAN are presented. We identified liver, gastrointestinal, oncological, dermatological, autoimmune, and respiratory diseases, as well as infectious, iatrogenic, and environmental factors, as triggers of sIgAN. As novel biological therapies for listed underlying diseases emerge, we suggest implementing drug-induced sIgAN as a new significant category. Clinicians should acknowledge the possibility of sIgAN progression in patients treated with TNF-α inhibitors, IL-12/IL-23-inhibitors, immune checkpoint inhibitors, CTLA-4, oral anticoagulants, thioureylene derivatives, and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs.

Renal hemosiderosis and rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis associated with primary hemochromatosis

Hereditary hemochromatosis leads to the accumulation of iron in many organs including the liver, spleen and heart and results in injury and dysfunction of these organs. On the other hand, iron accumulation and functional impairment in kidney is extremely rare. We report a 61-year-old male patient with hereditary hemochromatosis, in whom the renal function was deteriorated rapidly. Renal biopsy revealed crescentic glomeruli and hemosiderin accumulation in tubular epithelial cells.

Kidneys in chronic liver diseases

Acute kidney injury (AKI), defined as an abrupt increase in the serum creatinine level by at least 0.3 mg/dL, occurs in about 20% of patients hospitalized for decompensating liver cirrhosis. Patients with cirrhosis are susceptible to developing AKI because of the progressive vasodilatory state, reduced effective blood volume and stimulation of vasoconstrictor hormones. The most common causes of AKI in cirrhosis are pre-renal azotemia, hepatorenal syndrome and acute tubular necrosis. Differential diagnosis is based on analysis of circumstances of AKI development, natriuresis, urine osmolality, response to withdrawal of diuretics and volume repletion, and rarely on renal biopsy. Chronic glomerulonephritis and obstructive uropathy are rare causes of azotemia in cirrhotic patients. AKI is one of the last events in the natural history of chronic liver disease, therefore, such patients should have an expedited referral for liver transplantation. Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) is initiated by progressive portal hypertension, and may be prematurely triggered by bacterial infections, nonbacterial systemic inflammatory reactions, excessive diuresis, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, diarrhea or nephrotoxic agents. Each type of renal disease has a specific treatment approach ranging from repletion of the vascular system to renal replacement therapy. The treatment of choice in type 1 hepatorenal syndrome is a combination of vasoconstrictor with albumin infusion, which is effective in about 50% of patients. The second-line treatment of HRS involves a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, renal vasoprotection or systems of artificial liver support.

A case of IgA nephropathy and renal hemosiderosis associated with primary hemochromatosis

IgA nephropathy associated with liver cirrhosis is a common disease, unlike hemochromatosis-associated renal involvement, which is uncommon. A 55-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for the acute deterioration of renal function. Laboratory tests showed extremely high transferrin saturation and serum ferritin level. Furthermore, magnetic resonance imaging revealed low-intensity signals in both T1- and T2-weighted images within the liver, diagnosed as primary hemochromatosis. Renal biopsy showed mesangial IgA deposition with cellular crescent and hemosiderin in both glomerular and tubular epithelial cells. Renal function worsened progressively after admission, and thus steroid pulse therapy was started. Renal dysfunction improved, but the patient died of cerebral hemorrhage. The present case was considered IgA nephropathy and renal hemosiderosis secondary to primary hemochromatosis. To our knowledge, this is the first report that describes the above complications in association with primary hemochromatosis.

Association of liver cirrhosis related IgA nephropathy with portal hypertension

A high incidence of IgA nephropathy has been reported in patients with liver cirrhosis, though, clinically evident nephrotic syndrome is very uncommon. Impaired hepatic clearance of circulating IgA immune complexes and subsequent deposition in renal glomeruli has been considered principally in the pathogenesis of liver cirrhosis associated IgA nephropathy. Here we report on a patient with cryptogenic liver cirrhosis and splenic vein thrombosis, who presented with nephrotic syndrome. Renal biopsy showed findings consistent with IgA nephropathy. Lower endoscopy showed features of portal hypertensive colopathy. Following initiation of propranolol and anticoagulant treatment to reduce portal pressure, a gradual decrease of proteinuria and hematuria to normal range was noted. The potential pathogenetic role of portal hypertension in the development of IgA nephropathy in cirrhotic patients is discussed.