Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis associated with amyloidosis: efficacy of plasma exchange.
This report describes one case of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis associated with amyloidosis in a 53-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis, successfully treated with intensive plasma exchange and immunosuppression. Amyloid deposits were present in all of 20 glomeruli in the kidney biopsy specimen and eight out of nine nonfibrosed glomeruli contained crescents. With intensive plasma exchange and immunosuppressive drugs, renal function improved, and hemodialysis was discontinued. After 2 years, renal function was stable at a moderate level of impairment, but heavy proteinuria persisted.
Vernier
I
I
Laboratoire d'Immunopathologie Rénale et d'Immunopharmacologie (Unité INSERM U 269), Toulouse, France.
Pourrat
J P
JP
Mignon-Conte
M A
MA
Hemery
M
M
Dueymes
J M
JM
Conte
J J
JJ
D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D001706:Biopsy; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005921:Glomerulonephritis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010951:Plasma Exchange
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents