An unusual blend; IgA nephropathy and anti GBM disease

Abstract

Anti-glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) disease is a rare illness with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. The typical presentation (90% of cases) of anti-GBM is with a rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) in conjunction with pulmonary disease in 25-60% of cases. In its atypical form – seen in 10% of cases, anti GBM disease takes on a chronic form, presenting with long standing renal dysfunction, proteinuria and better renal prognosis when compared to the typical form of the disease. The known associations of anti-GBM disease are with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)vasculitis and membranous nephropathy. In this case report, a young lady with atypical anti-GBM disease is described with a most unusual association with IgA nephropathy. This association is rare and only described in few case reports worldwide. The possible pathogenesis, clinical features, treatment and outcome of this disease are also elucidated.