1. A case of systemic lupus erythematosus with Evans syndrome occurring after the remission of minimal change nephrotic syndrome
- Author
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Kagawa, Akio, Enya, Takuji, Morimoto, Yuichi, Miyazaki, Kohei, Sugimoto, Keisuke, Kagawa, Akio, Enya, Takuji, Morimoto, Yuichi, Miyazaki, Kohei, and Sugimoto, Keisuke
- Abstract
Evans syndrome is defined as the concomitant or sequential association of autoimmune hemolytic anemia with immune thrombocytopenia, and less frequently autoimmune neutropenia. Here, we encountered a female patient who developed Evans syndrome associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) during follow-up for minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS). The patient was diagnosed with MCNS at 14 years old. At 17 years old, she came to our hospital with fever, headache, and conjunctival icterus. Blood tests revealed hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute kidney injury. The direct Coombs test was positive, meeting six criteria for the diagnosis of SLE by the American College of Rheumatology. The patient was diagnosed with Evans syndrome secondary to SLE. The renal dysfunction and hematological abnormalities rapidly improved with the administration of prednisolone. Renal biopsy showed more than half of the glomeruli with endocapillary proliferation and wire-loop lesions. Some glomeruli showed segmental sclerosis. Immunofluorescence disclosed granular deposits of IgG, IgM, IgA, C3, and C1q in the glomerular basement membrane and mesangial region. Electron microscopy revealed dense electron deposits in the glomerular vascular endothelium. The patient was further diagnosed with Class IV-S (A/C)-type lupus nephritis and was treated with tacrolimus, with no relapse. Autoimmune disorders of the patient may be involved in the development of nephrotic syndrome. An interesting aspect of this case was the common pathogenesis of SLE and Evans syndrome, which are autoimmune diseases. In addition to the immunological disorders of the host, the influence of external factors may have contributed to the pathogenesis.
- Published
- 2023