[Extracapillary glomerulonephritis secondary to D-penicillamine. Apropos of 1 case and review of the literature]

Abstract

Extracapillary glomerulonephritis was diagnosed in a 51-year-old woman after 11 months of D-Penicillamine treatment given for systemic sclerosis. Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies specific for myeloperoxydase were detected. Penicillamine was stopped and the patient was treated with plasma exchanges, cyclophosphamide and corticosteroids. The renal function progressively deteriorated leading to end stage requiring dialysis. Previous reports of extracapillary glomerulonephritis after D-penicillamine are analysed. Several cases with alveolar haemorrhage are consistent with the diagnosis of microscopic polyangiitis.