PRIMARY AMYLOIDOSIS - INVOLVING PRINCIPALLY INTRARENAL BLOOD-VESSELS

We analysed renal biopsies from 34 nephrotic patients with renal amylo idosis, seven with primary form kappa chain (AL amyloidosis) and 27 wi th secondary amyloidosis associated with the other chronic diseases. R enal biopsy specimens were analysed using optical and immunofluorescen ce microscopy. The extent of amyloid deposits was graded from 0 to + + +. Intrarenal blood vessel deposits were more prominent than intrag lomerular in five of seven patients with AL amyloidosis, while they we re identical in one, and in one, intraglomerular amyloid deposits were dominant. The results were different in the group of patients with se condary amyloidosis: a lower degree of intrarenal blood vessels deposi tion than glomerular was noted in 22 of 27 cases, the degree of deposi tion was identical in 4 of 27 cases and more expressed blood vessel de position was present in only one case. Granular or combined deposits ( granular + linear) were found on immunofluorescence microscopy in prim ary form, but the dominant form of deposition was amorphous in seconda ry amyloid.