Hereditary apolipoprotein AI-associated renal amyloidosis: A diagnostic challenge

Nefrologia. 2015;35(3):322-7. doi: 10.1016/j.nefro.2015.05.002. Epub 2015 Jun 18.
[Article in English, Spanish]

Abstract

Hereditary renal amyloidosis is an autosomal dominant condition with considerable overlap with other amyloidosis types. Differential diagnosis is complicated, but is relevant for prognosis and treatment. We describe a patient with nephrotic syndrome and progressive renal failure, who had a mother with renal amiloidosis. Renal biopsy revealed amyloid deposits in glomerular space, with absence of light chains and protein AA. We suspected amyloidosis with fibrinogen A alpha chain deposits, which is the most frequent cause of hereditary amyloidosis in Europe, with a glomerular preferential affectation. However, the genetic study showed a novel mutation in apolipoprotein AI. On reviewing the biopsy of the patient's mother similar glomerular deposits were found, but there were significant deposits in the renal medulla as well, which is typical in APO AI amyloidosis. The diagnosis was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Apo AI amyloidosis is characterized by slowly progressive renal disease and end-stage renal disease occurs aproximately 3 to 15 years from initial diagnosis. Renal transplantation offers an acceptable graft survival and in these patients with hepatorenal involvement simultaneous liver and kidney transplantation could be considered.

Keywords: Amiloidosis renal hereditaria; Apolipoprotein AI; Apolipoproteína AI; Enfermedad renal progresiva; Hereditary renal amiloidosis; Progressive renal disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Amyloidosis, Familial / complications
  • Amyloidosis, Familial / diagnosis*
  • Amyloidosis, Familial / genetics
  • Amyloidosis, Familial / pathology
  • Apolipoprotein A-I / genetics*
  • Biopsy
  • Disease Progression
  • Emergencies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / etiology*
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / pathology
  • Kidney Glomerulus / pathology
  • Kidney Transplantation
  • Male
  • Nephrotic Syndrome / etiology*
  • Nephrotic Syndrome / pathology
  • Peritoneal Dialysis
  • Postoperative Complications / etiology
  • Splenic Rupture / etiology

Substances

  • APOA1 protein, human
  • Apolipoprotein A-I