Minimal change disease with IgM+ immunofluorescence: a subtype of nephrotic syndrome

Immunoglobulin (Ig) M nephropathy is defined by electron-dense mesangial deposits and mesangial IgM visible by immunofluorescence (IF) without other histopathologic and immunofluorescent microscopic abnormalities. Certain patients have only immuno-positive (IgM+) IF. Children presenting with steroid-dependent or steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome have a high prevalence of IgM+ IF with or without electron-dense deposits. We reviewed the clinical course of children with steroid-dependent or steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome who underwent renal biopsy at Texas Children's Hospital from 1989 to 2006 to further characterize IgM+ IF in children with nephrotic syndrome. Of the 55 children with steroid-resistant or -dependent minimal change disease (MCD), 23 had IgM+ IF. Of these 23 children, 61% had microscopic hematuria at presentation, 48% (11/23) were steroid-dependent, and 48% (11/23) steroid-resistant (one underwent biopsy prior to steroid therapy). We compared the efficacy of adjuvant treatment with cyclophosphamide and cyclosporine: 18% initially treated with cyclophosphamide obtained remission, while 55% had no response; 83% obtained subsequent remission with cyclosporine. Of those initially treated with cyclosporine, 88% obtained complete or partial remission. IgM+ IF may be surrogate marker for the severity of MCD. Based on our results, children with MCD and IgM+ IF have a better response to cyclosporine than cyclophosphamide.