[IgA nephropathy--analysis of 60 cases]

The authors analysed 60 cases of IgA nephropathy diagnosed in biopsy specimens with light microscope examination, immunofluorescence, and electron microscope in 37 patients. It was found that the course of disease was rather mild in the majority of patients and did not accompany renal failure. Examination in light microscope enabled to find disseminated glomerular and mesangial lesions whereas immunofluorescence--potent, granular fluorescence of IgA in mesangium, and sometimes in the walls of vascular loops. Electron microscopic examination revealed dense deposits localized in mesangium and sometimes subendothelially. It is stressed that the diagnosis of IgA nephropathy is possible after exclusion of all pathologies producing IgA deposits in mesangium.