A Case of Cryoglobulinemic Nephritis That Responded to Rituximab Monotherapy

The patient was a 65-year-old woman with ascites effusion and portal hypertension of unknown cause for the past three years, who was followed up with diuretics. Subsequently, the patient developed abdominal distention and worsening leg edema, and the laboratory test results revealed positive antinuclear antibodies, mild renal impairment, and abnormal urinalysis. After renal biopsy and laboratory tests, the patient was diagnosed with cryoglobulinemic nephritis. She was treated with rituximab monotherapy, which resulted in decreased serum creatinine and urinary protein levels and suppression of complement lowering. Thus, rituximab treatment may be effective for cryoglobulinemic nephritis.