IGA NEPHROPATHY AND HENOCH-SCHONLEIN PURP URE IN THE SAME FAMILY

IgA nephropathy and Henoch-Schonlein purpura are two diseases with dif ferent clinical expressions but with the samme histopathological featu res, characterized by mesangial IgA deposits. Immunological and immuno pathological similarities between this two diseases have suggested a c ommon etiologic factor. The incidence of familial IgA nephropathy seem s to support the existence of a common factors. We report two members of the same family one suffering from Henoch-Schonlein purpura and the other from mesangial IgA nephropathy. Our data suggest the existence of predisposing underlaying genetic mechanisms.