Inherited factor H deficiency and collagen type III glomerulopathy

A non-immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis associated with persistent hypocomplementemia occurred in a young boy. Measurement of complement components revealed complete factor H deficiency, inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. Evaluation of the renal lesion revealed extensive deposition of type III collagen suggestive of collagen type III glomerulopathy, a recently identified cause of chronic renal insufficiency in children and adults. This report represents the first association of inherited factor H deficiency with collagen type III glomerulopathy.