Nephrotic syndrome associated with subacute bacterial endocarditis (SBE): a case report

We experienced a female nephrotic patient associated with subacute bacterial endocarditis. Her proteinuria was completely normalized after antibiotic therapy and valve replacement. Immunofluorescence and an electron microscopic study of a renal biopsy specimen showed little evidence of immune complex in the glomeruli. Marked deposition of properdin in the glomeruli and the reduced level of serum complement may indicate involvement of the complement system in the pathogenic mechanism of massive proteinuria in this case.