title: Simultaneous occurrence of perimembranous glomerulonephritis and glomerular amyloidosis.
abstract: The results of electron microscopic examination of renal biopsies from 3 patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with penicillamine are presented. All 3 patients developed a nephrotic syndrome upon discontinuation of penicillamine therapy. When viewed with the electron microscope, segmental forms of perimembranous glomerulonephritis (Stages I-II of Ehrenreich and Churg) and glomerular renal amyloidosis Grade I-III were observed. In all three cases the nephrotic syndrome was considered to be due to the simultaneous occurrence of the two disease processes. In 2 cases perimembranous glomerulonephritis with immuno-complex-deposits was assumed to be the dominant factor in the causation of the disease, in the other case amyloidosis was the principle abnormality.
mesh_terms: D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D005921:Glomerulonephritis / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009404:Nephrotic Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D010396:Penicillamine / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D010396:Penicillamine