[Steroid pulse therapy combined with tonsillectomy in a patient with IgA nephropathy complicated with tuberculous...

We report a case of IgA nephropathy with tuberculous pleurisy that was treated with steroid pulse therapy combined with tonsillectomy. A 27-year-old female was referred to our hospital because of hematuria and proteinuria. Her urinalysis showed mild proteinuria (0.7 to 0.9 g/day) with dysmorphic red blood cells and cellular casts. Her serum creatinine level was within the normal range. Renal biopsy specimens revealed mild mesangial proliferation with cellular crescent and adhesion of glomeruli to the Bowman's capsule. Tubulointerstitial changes including mononuclear cell infiltration and tubular atrophy were also observed. Immunohistochemical staining of IgA and C3 was detected in the mesangial area, leading to the diagnosis of IgA nephropathy. She had a past history of tuberculous pleurisy at 13 years of age and had taken antituberculosis drug for one and a half year. Although treatment with angiotensin receptor antagonist was started, the amount of proteinuria was not changed. Steroid pulse therapy with tonsillectomy followed by oral prednisolone 20 mg/day was conducted. Proteinuria and hematuria gradually decreased. Her respiratory status and chest X-ray had been closely followed up by her respiratory physician. After one and a half years of treatment with low-dose prednisolone, her urinalysis became almost normal. Recurrence of tuberculosis was not observed during the follow-up period. The successful outcome of this case encouraged us to treat IgA nephropathy with a past history of tuberculosis using interventions including steroid pulse therapy.