A case of IgA nephropathy with an unusual response to corticosteroid and immunosuppressive therapy

We report a case of IgA nephropathy that presented with nephrotic syndrome without hematuria. Renal biopsy revealed typical features of IgA nephropathy on light microscopy, immunofluorescence microscopy, and electron microscopy. A dramatic response occurred on corticosteroid and immunosuppressive therapy, characterized by clearance of proteinuria and a fall of serum IgA level to normal. The absence of hematuria and a response to therapy are distinctly unusual features of IgA nephropathy. This case represents a variant of IgA nephropathy associated with a nephrotic syndrome that resembles nephrotic syndrome with minimal change lesion in its responsiveness to immunosuppressive therapy.