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Updated: Sep 23, 2025

Analyses of Proteinuria, Renal Infiltration of Leukocytes, and Renal Deposition of Proteins in Lupus-prone MRL/lpr Mice
Published on: June 8, 2022
Bartonella endocarditis and diffuse crescentic proliferative glomerulonephritis with a full-house pattern of immune
Shunhua Guo1, Neha D Pottanat2, Jeremy L Herrmann3
1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, 350 W. 11th street, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA. sg12@iu.edu.
Background:
Bartonella endocarditis is often a diagnostic challenge due to its variable clinical manifestations, especially when it is first presented with involvement of organs other than skin and lymph nodes, such as the kidney.
Case Presentation:
This was a 13-year-old girl presenting with fever, chest and abdominal pain, acute kidney injury, nephrotic-range proteinuria and low complement levels. Her kidney biopsy showed diffuse crescentic proliferative glomerulonephritis with a full-house pattern of immune complex deposition shown by immunofluorescence, which was initially considered consistent with systemic lupus erythematous-associated glomerulonephritis (lupus nephritis). After extensive workup, Bartonella endocarditis was diagnosed. Antibiotic treatment and valvular replacement surgery were undertaken with subsequent return of kidney function to normal range.
Conclusion:
This case demonstrates the importance of considering the full clinical picture when interpreting clinical, laboratory and biopsy findings, because the treatment strategy for infective endocarditis versus lupus nephritis is drastically different.
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