title: [The early lesions of renal amyloidosis].
abstract: Two patients with minimal amyloid deposition in association with nephrotic syndrome are reported. Since the amyloid deposits in each renal biopsy specimen were inconspicuous, both were first thought to be minimal glomerular changes. A few widely scattered, silver-positive, epimembranous spicules were found on careful reexamination by light microscopy. Congo red stain and electron microscopy confirmed the presence of small glomerular amyloid deposits and amyloid fibrils. Furthermore, immuno-fluorescence microscopy showed partial IgA deposits in the mesangial area and capillary wall. We therefore urge careful examination to detect amyloid deposits of all kidney biopsy specimens of minor glomerular abnormalities, or glomerulonephritis with IgA deposits from elderly patients with nephrotic syndrome. Light microscopy of Congo-red-stained sections and electron microscopy of the fibrillar structure very useful for the detection of small amyloid deposits.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Kidney Center, Tokyo Women's Medical College, Japan.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yumura
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Naito
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ozu
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nitta
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hara
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nihei
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000682:Amyloid / Q000378:metabolism; D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000378:metabolism; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013194:Staining and Labeling
chemical_list: D000682:Amyloid; D007070:Immunoglobulin A