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Published on: September 20, 2018
Collagenofibrotic glomerulopathy: three case reports in Brazil
Renata D R Ferreira1, Fabiano B Custódio, Camila S O Guimarães
1Discipline of General Pathology, Biological Sciences Department, Triângulo Mineiro Federal University, Uberaba, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. rosanaasor@hotmail.com
Insights
Collagenofibrotic glomerulopathy (CG), a kidney disease, is now reported in South America, indicating it affects diverse populations globally. This finding expands the known geographical distribution of CG beyond Japan.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Pathology
- Genetics
Background:
- Collagenofibrotic glomerulopathy (CG) is a rare kidney disease.
- Previously, CG was primarily reported in Japan, suggesting a potential geographical limitation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the first cases of collagenofibrotic glomerulopathy in South America.
- To highlight that CG is not limited to specific races or locations.
Main Methods:
- Case series describing three patients with common clinical factors: sex, age, non-nephrotic proteinuria, and microscopic hematuria.
- Immunofluorescence microscopy showed typically negative results for immunoglobulins and complement components.
- Picrosyrius staining revealed reddish material in the mesangium, which appeared greenish under polarized light, indicating collagen.
- Electron microscopy confirmed characteristic curved and disorganized collagen fibers.
Main Results:
- Identification of collagenofibrotic glomerulopathy in three patients from South America.
- Clinical presentation included proteinuria and hematuria with negative immunofluorescence findings.
- Distinctive collagen fiber morphology confirmed via electron microscopy.
Conclusions:
- These cases represent the first reported instances of CG in South America.
- Collagenofibrotic glomerulopathy is an idiopathic renal disease with a global distribution.
- CG should be considered in the differential diagnosis of proteinuria, particularly in unexplained cases.
Background:
We are reporting the first collagenofibrotic glomerulopathy (CG) in South America. So, this collagen type III glomerulopathy is not limited to Japan but may be found throughout the world.
Case Reports:
We describe three patients that presented some factors in common, such as sex, age and the presence of non-nephrotic proteinuria associated with microscopic hematuria. The findings with the immunofluorescence microscopy, of immunoglobulins, and components of the complement were usually negative. The picrosyrius staining showed the presence of reddish material in the mesangium, when it was seen under standard microscopy; however, when it was seen with birefringence, it became greenish under polarized light, showed the collagen found in this area of the glomerulus. The identification of CG was made through electronic microscopic scanning, and curved and disorganized fibers were found.
Conclusion:
These cases are the first from South America to be reported, and they are about an idiopathic renal disease that is not related to any specific races or locations. The reports contribute to a better understanding of this disease, which although not so prevalent, should be considered as an importantly differential diagnostic of cases of proteinuria.
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