Circulating monoclonal IgG1-kappa antibodies causing anti-glomerular basement membrane nephritis

• Main Authors: M Vankalakunti, R Nada, A Kumar, K Patro, S Ramakrishnan, D Rangarajan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2017-01-01
• Series: Indian Journal of Nephrology
• Subjects: Anti-GBM crescentic glomerulonephritis; plasma cell dyscrasia; rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis
• Online Access: http://www.indianjnephrol.org/article.asp?issn=0971-4065;year=2017;volume=27;issue=4;spage=327;epage=329;aulast=Vankalakunti
• ISSN: 0971-4065; 1998-3662

Anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) antibody disease is a rare but well-characterized cause of glomerulonephritis. Patients present with rapidly progressive renal failure with hemoptysis. Early diagnosis is crucial in salvaging the renal damage and life-threatening pulmonary hemorrhage. Plasmapheresis and immunosuppression is the mode of therapy. Anti-GBM antibodies are polyclonal in nature. However, rare monoclonal antibodies can cause similar destruction of glomerular capillary walls. We describe distinct combination of circulating monoclonal and anti-GBM nephritis.