A Rare Case of Fabry Disease Combined With Idiopathic Multicentric Castleman Disease and Membranous Nephropathy
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Published on: August 23, 2024
Machiko Oka1,2, Rikio Suzuki3, Takeshi Akasaka4,5
1Kidney Disease and Transplant Center, Shonan Kamakura General Hospital, Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan.
Insights
This case study details a teen with nephrotic syndrome, diagnosed with Fabry disease, idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease (iMCD), and membranous nephropathy. Steroid therapy resolved proteinuria, suggesting immune involvement beyond Fabry disease.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Genetics
- Immunology
Background:
- Fabry disease is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder challenging to diagnose in females due to X-chromosome inactivation.
- Nephrotic syndrome can manifest from various underlying conditions, including genetic disorders and immune-mediated diseases.
- Idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease (iMCD) is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder associated with systemic inflammation.
Abstract:
The present case documents a 17-year-old woman patient with nephrotic syndrome who was diagnosed with Fabry disease complicated by idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease (iMCD) and membranous nephropathy. Fabry disease, an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder caused by α-galactosidase A deficiency, presents diagnostic challenges in females owing to random X-chromosome inactivation. The presence of zebra bodies in the podocytes, as well as a genetic test, confirmed the diagnosis of Fabry disease, alongside immune complex deposits, which were indicative of membranous nephropathy. In addition, the presence of multiple lymphadenopathies and elevated serum inflammatory marker levels led to the diagnosis of iMCD. Notably, the proteinuria and inflammation rapidly resolved with steroid therapy, suggesting an immune-mediated injury distinct from Fabry-related podocytopathy. This unique case of Fabry disease coexisting with iMCD and membranous nephropathy raises intriguing questions regarding the potential interplay between globotriaosylceramide (Gb3)-induced inflammation and immune dysregulation.
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