Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation appears to ameliorate IgA nephropathy in a patient with X-linked thrombocytopenia

Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is caused by a mutation in the WAS gene, and it is clinically characterized by the triad of thrombocytopenia, eczema and immunodeficiency. X-linked thrombocytopenia (XLT), which is a clinically mild form of WAS, is also caused by a WAS gene mutation. Patients with WAS/XLT sometimes also have autoimmune diseases such as IgA nephropathy. Progression of IgA nephropathy may lead to chronic renal failure with a poor prognosis. Here, we describe an XLT patient who also had IgA nephropathy. The patient underwent bone marrow transplantation (BMT) because of an associated-lymphoproliferative disorder, and clinical and histological improvement in his IgA nephropathy was observed after BMT. The amount of galactose-deficient IgA in the patient's serum markedly decreased after BMT. Therefore, immunological reconstitution might improve autoimmune diseases in patients with WAS/XLT.