A case of lupus nephritis coexisting with podocytic infolding associated with Takayasu's arteritis

A 61-year-old Japanese woman with both Takayasu's arteritis (TA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) presented with proteinuria due to glomerulopathy associated with podocytic infolding. She presented with unequal pulses in the upper extremities at 38 years old. TA was diagnosed on the basis of angiographic identification of stenosis in the left subclavian artery. Eight years after onset of TA, SLE was diagnosed on the basis of clinical and laboratory findings, including proteinuria, hematological and immunological abnormalities, high titer of antinuclear antibody, and a positive lupus band test on the skin. A renal biopsy showed lupus nephritis coexisting with podocytic infolding associated with TA, which has rarely been reported. After low-dose prednisolone therapy and immunosuppressive therapy by cyclosporine for 14 years, proteinuria has persisted without deterioration of serum creatinine levels.