Mesangial IgA glomerulonephritis. Clinicopathological study of 85 cases

A clinicopathological study was made on 85 cases of mesangial IgA glomerulonephritis and of 49 controls. Predominant incidence of male over female was noted in IgA glomerulonephritis. The disease developed insidiously in a considerable number, and occupied 68% of chance proteinuria and/or hematuria. Macrohematuria was often experienced, but in a statistical comparison with controls, no specific features were observed clinically except that hypertensive cases were rarely encountered in this disease, which may reflect the better prognosis. Serum IgA levels were not different significantly in two groups. Histological changes were those of various natures and intensities, and no specific type of lesions were observed. The negative staining of C1q and C3PA in glomeruli of IgA glomerulonephritis offered no possibility to elucidate either of the complement pathways as active.