Complement factor H mutation associated with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis with transformation to atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome

Karin Janssen van Doorn; Eveline Dirinck; Gert A Verpooten; Marie M Couttenye

doi:10.1093/ckj/sfs190

Complement factor H mutation associated with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis with transformation to atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome

Clin Kidney J. 2013 Apr;6(2):216-219. doi: 10.1093/ckj/sfs190. Epub 2013 Feb 5.

Authors

Karin Janssen van Doorn¹, Eveline Dirinck¹, Gert A Verpooten², Marie M Couttenye¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Nephrology-Hypertension , Antwerp University Hospital , Edegem, Antwerpen , Belgium.
² Department of Nephrology-Hypertension , Antwerp University Hospital , Edegem, Antwerpen , Belgium ; Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Paediatrics , Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , University of Antwerp , Antwerpen , Belgium.

Abstract

A patient with a history of haemolytic anaemia and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type 1 since childhood developed relapsing atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome (aHUS) at the age of 18. Despite several episodes of relapsing aHUS, she was successfully treated with plasmapheresis. aHUS is strongly associated with disorders of the complement pathway. Diagnostic work-up of the patient revealed normal serum values of complement factor H, I, B and membrane cofactor protein (MCP). Genetic analysis showed a homozygous mutation in the factor H gene. Extraordinarily, the homozygous mutation in this patient causes a normal amount but hypothetically functionally defective factor H in the plasma.

Keywords: MPGN type 1; atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome; complement factor H.