Authors: L Sun Q Yuan J Feng L Yao Q Fan J Ma L Wang
Publish Date: 2011/08/07
Volume: 31, Issue: 5, Pages: 775-779
Abstract
Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection causing glomerulonephritis is a rare disorder This retrospective study analyzed the clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with tuberculosismediated glomerulonephritis TBGN between 2002 and 2009 as well as the diagnostic tools used These findings were then compared with those of patients with primary glomerulonephritis PGN The records of all patients were reviewed The diagnosis of TBGN was based on renal hematuria and/or proteinuria and cure after antituberculosis therapy alone plus urine culture positive for M tuberculosis demonstration of typical tubercle granulomas on renal biopsy specimens or the detection of M tuberculosis DNA by polymerase chain reaction PCR on renal specimens Fortysix patients with TBGN and 49 patients with PGN were included Compared with patients in the PGN group most 76 patients with TBGN had a history of TB Systemic symptoms were much more frequent in patients with TBGN than local genitourinary symptoms Serological testing showed a statistical difference between the two groups Immunoglobulin A nephropathy was found in the majority 72 of patients with TBGN M tuberculosis DNA detection was positive in 39 848 patients a much higher positive rate of diagnosis than that with urine culture for M tuberculosis The manifestation of TBGN is atypical and nonspecific It warrants a high index of suspicion when patients with renal hematuria and proteinuria fail to respond to standard treatments for PGN Clinicians should pay close attention to the medical history and results of special laboratory tests M tuberculosis DNA detection on renal biopsy specimens should be considered in order to confirm the diagnosis of TBGN
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