Collagenofibrotic glomerulopathy: three case reports in Brazil.
BACKGROUND
We are reporting the first collagenofibrotic glomerulopathy (CG) in South America. So, this collagen type III glomerulopathy is not limited to Japan but may be found throughout the world.


METHODS
We describe three patients that presented some factors in common, such as sex, age and the presence of non-nephrotic proteinuria associated with microscopic hematuria. The findings with the immunofluorescence microscopy, of immunoglobulins, and components of the complement were usually negative. The picrosyrius staining showed the presence of reddish material in the mesangium, when it was seen under standard microscopy; however, when it was seen with birefringence, it became greenish under polarized light, showed the collagen found in this area of the glomerulus. The identification of CG was made through electronic microscopic scanning, and curved and disorganized fibers were found.


CONCLUSIONS
These cases are the first from South America to be reported, and they are about an idiopathic renal disease that is not related to any specific races or locations. The reports contribute to a better understanding of this disease, which although not so prevalent, should be considered as an importantly differential diagnostic of cases of proteinuria.
Ferreira
Renata D R
RD
Discipline of General Pathology, Biological Sciences Department, Triângulo Mineiro Federal University, Uberaba, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. rosanaasor@hotmail.com
Custódio
Fabiano B
FB
Guimarães
Camila S O
CS
Corrêa
Rosana R M
RR
Reis
Marlene A
MA