title: Lupus-like nephritis heralding the definitive manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: Four patients presented with the nephrotic syndrome. The histological appearances on renal biopsy were in three characteristic and in one suggestive of lupus nephritis. These patients did not initially have other clinical features of SLE, but three had a positive ANA and one a raised DNA titre. Remission occurred in two patients, in one spontaneously and in another following corticosteroid therapy, but two developed renal failure. During follow-up all developed elevated DNA binding levels and arthralgia or lymphopenia. The ARA classification criteria for lupus were only fulfilled at this late stage.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000032:analysis; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D001485:Basement Membrane / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D005920:Glomerular Mesangium / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005921:Glomerulonephritis / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D007678:Kidney Glomerulus / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009404:Nephrotic Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex