Membranous glomerulonephritis associated with anti-tubular and anti-alveolar basement membrane antibodies

Abstract

The renal biopsy of a 3-year old boy with complete Fanconi syndrome showed the association of a membranous glomerulonephritis with severe tubulointerstial changes. Immunofluorescence microscopy disclosed linear and granular deposits of Ig along tubular basement membranes. The presence of anti-tubular basement membrane antibodies in the patient's serum was demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescence and radioimmunoassay. The child also developed pulmonary involvement associated with episodes of acute anemia. Anti-alveolar basement membrane antibodies were detected by indirect immunofluorescence. The present case is the first reported example of auto-immune disease characterized by the presence of anti-tubular and alveolar basement membrane antibodies associated with an immune complex glomerulonephritis.