[Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency and renal involvement]

In a young girl with alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency (Pi Z), cirrhosis, hypocomplementemia and proteinuria, renal biopsy showed features of type I membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. Deposits contained IgA, IgG, IgM, Clq, C4 and C3 but not alpha 1-antitrypsin. A review of the literature found 10 similar cases. Type I membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis was present in all. The respective roles of alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency and hepatic disease in the pathogenesis are discussed; membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis is probably the consequence of the chronic liver disease.