IGA NEPHROPATHY - A RARE LESION IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS-ERYTHEMATOSUS

We describe three patients with a well-established clinical diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus in whom the renal biopsy lesion unexpe ctedly is diagnostic of IgA nephropathy, not super-imposed with any fe atures of lupus nephritis. Whereas the clinical presentation and follo w-up of renal disease in these patients indicate a relatively indolent course, the extrarenal manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosys have been relatively severe, and one patient died of systemic infecti on. IgA nephropathy hitherto has not been described in patients with s ystemic lupus erythematosus, and such an observation stresses that aty pical glomerular lesions in these patients should raise the possibilit y of a nonlupus glomerulopathy.