Coincident membranous glomerulonephritis and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy: questioning the autoimmunity hypothesis.
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) and membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN) are both autoimmune disorders that are rarely observed concurrently. We describe a patient who developed MGN nearly 20 years after the onset of CIDP, resulting in a secondary progression of his neuropathy. He responded dramatically to a novel regimen of plasma exchange and methotrexate. We propose a mechanism other than autoimmunity for the coincidence of these disorders and discuss the theoretical superiority of the treatment regimen that he received.
Smyth
Shane
S
Department of Neurology, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center at Memphis, 855 Monroe Avenue, Link 415, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, USA.
Menkes
Daniel L
DL
D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D015433:Glomerulonephritis, Membranous / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007668:Kidney / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010956:Plasmapheresis; D020277:Polyradiculoneuropathy, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D008727:Methotrexate