Light chain deposition disease without detectable light chains in serum or urine. Report of a case and review of the literature.
A patient presenting with a nephrotic syndrome and chronic renal failure caused by light chain deposition disease (LCDD) without detectable light chains in serum and urine is presented. Only a few patients with LCDD but without detectable light chains in serum and urine have hitherto been reported. The diagnosis was made by light-microscopic and immunofluorescent examination of a percutaneous renal biopsy. The histological differential diagnosis of LCDD includes diabetic glomerulosclerosis, renal amyloidosis and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. For the histological diagnosis of LCDD, immunofluorescence using anti-kappa and anti-lambda antisera is essential. Although renal involvement is a constant feature in LCDD, other sites of deposition of light chains have been reported. The absence of detectable light chains in serum or urine is discussed.
van Ingen
G
G
Department of Pathology, Free University Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
van Bronswijk
H
H
Meijer
C J
CJ
Stel
H V
HV
D001706:Biopsy; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D006942:Hypergammaglobulinemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000652:urine; D007147:Immunoglobulin Light Chains / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D007668:Kidney / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged; D009404:Nephrotic Syndrome / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology
D007147:Immunoglobulin Light Chains