The Nephrotic Syndrome in Secondary Syphilis

Studies on Chronic Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis With Hypocomplementemia

“…The association of infection and glomerulonephritis has been observed in a number of clinical situations including subacute bacterial endocarditis (39)(40)(41), subarachnoid-jugular shunt infections (42,43), malaria (44,45), syphilis (46,47), osteomyelitis (48), pneumococcal and staphlococcal infections, and certain viral infections (49)(50)(51)(52). In a prior oublication we pointed out the similarity between CMPGN and certain instance~ of long-standing infection, hypocomplementemia, and glomerulonephritis (10).…”

Nephrotic syndrome and hepatitis due to acquired syphilis: an uncommon presentation of a re-emerging disease

“…Few patients who initially presented with nephrotic syndrome have had repeat renal biopsies performed after treatment of syphilis. In one such patient [ 9 ], the glomerular changes found on the first biopsy had almost completely subsided as evidenced by a follow-up biopsy 1 month after presentation and treatment. The glomeruli in the repeat specimen appeared histologically normal and, by electron microscopy, only a few electron-dense deposits were seen along the basement membrane without fusion of foot processes.…”

Correspondence: An attempt to produce immune complexes in experimental syphilis.

“…SIR-The nephrotic syndrome associated with secondary syphilis in man has been previously reported (Robins and Ladd, 1962;Falls, Ford, Ashworth, and Carter, 1965;Braunstein, Lewis, Galvanek, Hamilton, and Bell, 1970;Bhorade, Carag, Lee, Potter, and Dunea, 1971). However, the specificity of the lesions is still in doubt, since the causative antigen involved in syphilitic nephrosis has not been demonstrated so far.…”