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A 70-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of edema of the face and legs, proteinuria, and hypoproteinemia. We made a diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome. Immunoelectrophoresis of the patient's serum and urine disclosed a small amount of kappa type Bence-Jones protein (BJP) in the fast-gamma area. A renal biopsy showed nodular expansion of mesangium with deposition of space kappa-light chain in the mesangial area. Light chain deposition disease was diagnosed. Western blotting analysis disclosed that the patient's BJP molecules had a molecular mass of 66 KDa, and were composed of two kappa chains of 33 KDa. Bone marrow aspiration revealed dysplastic plasma cells, and Western blotting analysis of an extract of these cells detected BJP-kappa with a molecular mass of 33 Kda. This BJP was larger than normal, indicating the possibility of abnormal structure. Structural abnormalities may be responsible for tissue precipitation of the kappa light chain.

A 64-year-old Japanese male was admitted to Kotoh General Hospital because of fever and cough on July, 14, 1997. Laboratory data showed hypereosinophilia (11,500/microliter) and high titer of anti-myeloperoxidase antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (319 EU). A physical examination revealed progressive peripheral neuropathy. He had been diagnosed as having bronchial asthma since November, 1996. Therefore, he was diagnosed as having Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS). He was treated with methylprednisolone pulse therapy (500 mg/day for 3 days) and oral prednisolone (PSL, 60 mg/day). However, peripheral neuropathy was rapidly progressive, and echocardiogram revealed cardiac hypofunction (ejection fraction (EF); 39%). He was refereed to Akita University Hospital for further examination. On admission, laboratory data showed hyponatremia (125 mEq/l) with inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (ADH, 13.0 pg/ml). Atrial natriuretic peptide was normal (26 pg/ml). Urinary osmorality was 488 mOsm/l, and urinary sodium excretion was 86 mEq/l. Renal, adrenal, and thyroid functions were normal. From these data, his hyponatremia was caused by syndrome of inappropriate secretion of ADH (SIADH). After cyclophosphamide-pulse therapy (500 mg) and oral administration of cyclophosphamide (50 mg/day) and PSL (50 mg/day), peripheral neuropathy improved gradually, and his serum sodium returned to normal, but cardiac hypofunction continued. A possible relationship between SIADH and CSS is discussed.

A 74-year-old Japanese male was admitted because of anemia. Hepatosplenomegaly, lymphoadenopathy, and purpura were not found. The laboratory data on admission revealed that the white-cell count was 9,400/microliters, the hemoglobin 11.1 g/dl, and the platelet count 17,000/microliters. Platelet-associated IgG was 794.2 ng/10(7) cells. The patient was diagnosed as having autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura (ATP) at this time. He was treated with prednisolone, but his thrombocytopenia not improve. In addition to prednisolone, azathioprine was given to him. During the course of treatment, leukocytosis gradually appeared and the white-cell count reached more than 30,000/microliters with over 70% lymphocytes. A bone marrow aspiration revealed 70% of small lymphocytes, and surface marker analysis showed that CD19 and HLA-DR were positive on these lymphocytes. Southern blotting analysis demonstrated rearrangements of JH and JK. He was finally diagnosed as B-CLL complicated by ATP. One month after the azathioprine administration, the platelet count increased more than 30,000/microliters and the white-cell count decreased less than 10,000/microliters. About 2% of patients with CLL are known to be complicated by ATP. To our knowledge, the present case is the first case of B-CLL complicated by ATP in Japan.