Immunoglobulin A (IgA) associated glomerulonephritis

Immunoglobulin A nephropathy. Quantitative immunohistomorphometry of the tonsillar plasma cells evidences an inversion of the immunoglobulin A versus immunoglobulin G secreting cell balance.

“…At the moment, after large numbers of various explorations have been performed both on kidneys and in serum from patients with Berger's disease, a series of well established facts seems to lead towards a better understanding of what happens in this peculiar disease. First, the presence of C3, C9, and occasionally factor B and properdin in the mesangial deposits (2)(3)(4)(5)(6), together with the pathognomonic IgA, allows to classify Berger's disease as an "immune complex nephritis" (7). This is in keeping with the reported finding of IgA-containing circulating immune complexes in such patients' serum (8)(9)(10).…”

“…This is in keeping with the reported finding of IgA-containing circulating immune complexes in such patients' serum (8)(9)(10). Second, serological studies have often evidenced high levels of circulating IgA (3,5,(8)(9)(10)(11), independent of the presence of circulating immune complexes, suggesting the existence of some primary abnormality. An imbalance of the IgA system might take place at two levels, according to the systemic or mucosal origin of these immunoglobulins.…”

Selective deposition of immunoglobulin A1 in immunoglobulin A nephropathy, anaphylactoid purpura nephritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus.

“…The antigenic specificity of this IgA is unknown. When the IgA was eluted from kidneys of four patients with IgA nephropathy, one eluate showed weak binding of intraglomerular components of a normal kidney, the other three failed to bind (2).…”

“…It occurs most frequently in adolescent boys and young men (2) and is frequently preceeded by an episode of upper respiratory or gastrointestinal infection of presumed viral etiology (1,3).…”

“…IgA nephropathy is characterized by IgA deposits in the renal mesangium and recurring episodes of hematuria (1)(2)(3). It occurs most frequently in adolescent boys and young men (2) and is frequently preceeded by an episode of upper respiratory or gastrointestinal infection of presumed viral etiology (1,3).…”