Immunoglobulin A nephropathy associated with Plasmodium falciparum malaria

J Korean Med Sci. 2012 Apr;27(4):446-9. doi: 10.3346/jkms.2012.27.4.446. Epub 2012 Mar 21.

Abstract

Glomerulonephritis occurs as a rare form of renal manifestation in Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Herein, we report a case of falciparum malaria-associated IgA nephropathy for the first time. A 49-yr old male who had been to East Africa was diagnosed with Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Microhematuria and proteinuria along with acute kidney injury developed during the course of the disease. Kidney biopsy showed mesangial proliferation and IgA deposits with tubulointerstitial inflammation. Laboratory tests after recovery from malaria showed disappearance of urinary abnormalities and normalization of kidney function. Our findings suggest that malaria infection might be associated with IgA nephropathy.

Keywords: Glomerulonephritis; IgA nephropathy; Malaria; Plasmodium falciparum.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Kidney Injury / etiology
  • Acute Kidney Injury / pathology
  • Antimalarials / therapeutic use
  • Creatinine / blood
  • Glomerulonephritis, IGA / diagnosis*
  • Glomerulonephritis, IGA / etiology*
  • Hematuria / etiology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin A / metabolism*
  • Malaria / complications*
  • Malaria / drug therapy
  • Malaria / pathology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Plasmodium falciparum / isolation & purification*
  • Proteinuria / etiology
  • Quinine / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antimalarials
  • Immunoglobulin A
  • Quinine
  • Creatinine