Histopathological and immune alterations in autopsied kidneys

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Pathology
• Immunology

Background:

• Kidney diseases represent a significant global health burden.
• Understanding renal alterations at autopsy provides insights into disease prevalence and pathology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically document histologic and immune changes in autopsy kidney tissues.
• To assess the frequency of glomerular, tubulo-interstitial, and vascular alterations.
• To identify patterns of immune deposition in renal samples.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 55 autopsy kidney cases from 248 autopsies performed in 2011-2012.
• Evaluation using light microscopy, immunofluorescence microscopy, and immunohistochemistry (kappa and lambda antibodies).
• Detailed recording of glomerular, tubulo-interstitial, vascular alterations, and immune depositions.

Main Results:

• 23 out of 55 cases exhibited near-normal histology; 23 cases showed glomerular alterations.
• 19 cases presented with at least one immune deposition.
• Immunoglobulin A deposition was observed in 13 cases; 9 cases showed kappa and lambda positivity without clonal restriction.

Conclusions:

• A high rate of immune depositions was a notable finding in the autopsy kidney samples.
• Significant numbers of both glomerular and non-glomerular renal alterations were identified.
• These findings underscore the subclinical presence of renal pathology and immune activity.