Pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis superimposed on diabetic glomerulosclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
Pauci-immune necrotizing and crescentic glomerulonephritis (PNCGN) superimposed on diabetic glomerulosclerosis (DGS) is a rare occurrence. Only limited data on this dual glomerulopathy are available.


METHODS
Twenty-three cases of PNCGN superimposed on DGS were identified from the archives of the Renal Pathology Laboratory of Columbia University. The clinical features, pathologic findings, and outcomes are described.


RESULTS
The majority of patients were white, elderly, and had longstanding diabetes. Patients presented with acute renal failure and an active urine sediment. Antinuclear cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA) testing was positive by indirect immunofluorescence in 18 of 22 patients. Sixteen patients had a P-ANCA pattern, 9 of whom underwent further testing and were found to be MPO-ANCA positive by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Among the two patients with C-ANCA by indirect immunofluorescence, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed in one and revealed PR3-ANCA. Eight patients had extrarenal manifestations of vasculitis, including 6 with pulmonary hemorrhage. At the time of presentation and renal biopsy, 11 patients required hemodialysis. The mean percentages of glomeruli with cellular crescents, fibrous crescents, and necrosis were 24.9, 8.4, and 12.9, respectively. Most patients were treated with cyclophosphamide and prednisone. At a mean follow-up of 14.6 mo (available in 21 patients), 8 patients had died and 8 of the remaining 13 patients had reached end-stage renal disease. Correlates of end-stage renal disease were hemodialysis at presentation and the degree of DGS.


CONCLUSIONS
PNCGN may occur superimposed on DGS. The prognosis for this dual glomerulopathy is dismal despite aggressive therapy.
Department of Pathology, Columbia University, College of Physicians & Surgeons, 630 West 168th Street, VC14-224, New York, NY 10032, USA. sn386@columbia.edu
Samih H
SH
Nasr
Vivette D
VD
D'Agati
Samar M
SM
Said
Michael B
MB
Stokes
Gerald B
GB
Appel
Anthony M
AM
Valeri
Glen S
GS
Markowitz
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / Q000032:analysis; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005355:Fibrosis; D005921:Glomerulonephritis / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000209:etiology; D007678:Kidney Glomerulus / Q000473:pathology; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009336:Necrosis; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000209:etiology
D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents