Repeated Kidney Biopsy in Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis

Introduction: Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) is a heterogeneous pattern of glomerular injury. Repeated kidney biopsies may elucidate pathogenic mechanisms and guide diagnostic strategies. Methods: We included 82 patients diagnosed with MPGN by kidney biopsy who underwent...

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Main Authors: Ai-Hui Li, Yang Li, Meng-Shi Li, Zhuo-Ran Song, Ji-Cheng Lv, Hong Zhang, Xiao-Juan Yu, Xu-Jie Zhou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Karger Publishers 2025-01-01
Series:Kidney Diseases
Online Access:https://karger.com/article/doi/10.1159/000545727
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author Ai-Hui Li
Yang Li
Meng-Shi Li
Zhuo-Ran Song
Ji-Cheng Lv
Hong Zhang
Xiao-Juan Yu
Xu-Jie Zhou
author_facet Ai-Hui Li
Yang Li
Meng-Shi Li
Zhuo-Ran Song
Ji-Cheng Lv
Hong Zhang
Xiao-Juan Yu
Xu-Jie Zhou
author_sort Ai-Hui Li
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) is a heterogeneous pattern of glomerular injury. Repeated kidney biopsies may elucidate pathogenic mechanisms and guide diagnostic strategies. Methods: We included 82 patients diagnosed with MPGN by kidney biopsy who underwent at least two biopsies between 1997 and 2023 at Peking University First Hospital. Clinical and pathological data were analyzed retrospectively. Results: Of 342 MPGN patients, 95 (28%) had repeated biopsies (0.9–4.0 years apart). This incidence was higher than in other glomerulonephropathies under immunosuppression. Among the 82 patients analyzed (excluding kidney transplants and ≤3-month biopsy intervals), 42 were initially diagnosed with non-MPGN pathology. At the second biopsy, proteinuria increased (from 2.9 to 6.3 g/day), eGFR declined (from 76 to 47 mL/min/1.73 m2), and renal C3 deposition was stronger (p = 0.04). Thirty patients (37%) had etiological reclassification, mostly to monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS). Compared to idiopathic MPGN, MGRS patients were older (53 vs. 35 years) and had worse renal function (eGFR 57 vs. 81 mL/min/1.73 m2) but slower eGFR decline (−7 vs. −12 mL/min/1.73 m2/year). Most MGRS patients (64%) remained negative for monoclonal protein in serum or urine immunofixation, necessitating repeat biopsy and clone-directed therapy. Conclusion: In this study, about half and one-third of patients underwent morphological and etiological reclassification, respectively. Stronger complement deposition may drive morphological changes. Repeated kidney biopsies are crucial for diagnosing MGRS, especially in patients with negative immunofixation.
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spelling doaj-art-4de2bec8b6ad4056bb3198c661f98f032025-08-20T02:31:55ZengKarger PublishersKidney Diseases2296-93572025-01-0111125826910.1159/000545727Repeated Kidney Biopsy in Membranoproliferative GlomerulonephritisAi-Hui LiYang LiMeng-Shi LiZhuo-Ran SongJi-Cheng LvHong ZhangXiao-Juan YuXu-Jie Zhou Introduction: Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) is a heterogeneous pattern of glomerular injury. Repeated kidney biopsies may elucidate pathogenic mechanisms and guide diagnostic strategies. Methods: We included 82 patients diagnosed with MPGN by kidney biopsy who underwent at least two biopsies between 1997 and 2023 at Peking University First Hospital. Clinical and pathological data were analyzed retrospectively. Results: Of 342 MPGN patients, 95 (28%) had repeated biopsies (0.9–4.0 years apart). This incidence was higher than in other glomerulonephropathies under immunosuppression. Among the 82 patients analyzed (excluding kidney transplants and ≤3-month biopsy intervals), 42 were initially diagnosed with non-MPGN pathology. At the second biopsy, proteinuria increased (from 2.9 to 6.3 g/day), eGFR declined (from 76 to 47 mL/min/1.73 m2), and renal C3 deposition was stronger (p = 0.04). Thirty patients (37%) had etiological reclassification, mostly to monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS). Compared to idiopathic MPGN, MGRS patients were older (53 vs. 35 years) and had worse renal function (eGFR 57 vs. 81 mL/min/1.73 m2) but slower eGFR decline (−7 vs. −12 mL/min/1.73 m2/year). Most MGRS patients (64%) remained negative for monoclonal protein in serum or urine immunofixation, necessitating repeat biopsy and clone-directed therapy. Conclusion: In this study, about half and one-third of patients underwent morphological and etiological reclassification, respectively. Stronger complement deposition may drive morphological changes. Repeated kidney biopsies are crucial for diagnosing MGRS, especially in patients with negative immunofixation. https://karger.com/article/doi/10.1159/000545727
spellingShingle Ai-Hui Li
Yang Li
Meng-Shi Li
Zhuo-Ran Song
Ji-Cheng Lv
Hong Zhang
Xiao-Juan Yu
Xu-Jie Zhou
Repeated Kidney Biopsy in Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis
Kidney Diseases
title Repeated Kidney Biopsy in Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis
title_full Repeated Kidney Biopsy in Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis
title_fullStr Repeated Kidney Biopsy in Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis
title_full_unstemmed Repeated Kidney Biopsy in Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis
title_short Repeated Kidney Biopsy in Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis
title_sort repeated kidney biopsy in membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis
url https://karger.com/article/doi/10.1159/000545727
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