Membranous nephropathy. Its association with multicentric angiofollicular lymph node hyperplasia

Multicentric angiofollicular lymph node hyperplasia of the plasma cell type with systemic manifestations developed in a 51-year-old man. One year later, the nephrotic syndrome due to typical immune complex mediated membranous nephropathy developed. Elevated titers to Epstein-Barr viral antigens suggesting reactivation of a latent infection were present. The patient has required conservative medical management only. The association of membranous nephropathy with angiofollicular lymph node hyperplasia lends further evidence to the postulate that the disorder is a manifestation of chronic immune stimulation by a foreign antigen.