PROLONGED ASYMPTOMATIC DENSE DEPOSIT DISEASE IN CHINESE - REPORT OF 2CASES IN TAIWAN

Dense deposit disease (DDD) is a less common form of membranoprolifera tive glomerulonephritis (MPGN). The disease occurs predominantly in ch ildren and young adults and the prognosis is variable. DDD varies cons iderably in incidence among different populations and has not been rep orted in Chinese. Herein we reported 2 cases of DDD in young Chinese g irls in Taiwan. Although 1 case (case 2) had mild hypertension, both p atients had asymptomatic proteinuria and ran a benign course of 8 and 14 years, respectively, The histological features of case 1 resembled membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN) on hematoxylin-eosin stain, but re vealed DDD on periodic acid Schiff and chromotrope-2R silver methenami ne stains. Whereas case 2 showed focal MPGN on light miscroscopy, she had a fine granular immunofluorescence pattern resembling MGN. Charact eristic intramembranous dense deposits were demonstrated by electron m icroscopy in the basement membranes of the glomeruli, Bowman's capsule s and the renal tubules. Both patients were followed closely, and had stable normal renal function 1 year after renal biopsy.