Participation of immunoglobulin E (IgE) in immune mediated glomerulonephritis

Abstract

Renal biopsy specimens from 146 consecutive patients were studied by direct immunofluorescent tests for immunoglobulins G, M, A, D, E, third component of complement and fibrinogen; 46 of the patients had nephrotic syndrome. Glomerular bound Ig was detected in glomeruli of 85 patients, and significant immunoglobulin E (IgE) in 22 of them. The granular glomerular deposits of six of the 22 patients comprised IgE as the dominant or codominant Ig class; in one patient it was the only Ig seen. In all other instances IgE was a relatively less obvious Ig component of glomerular deposits. No correlation was detected between serum IgE concentrations and glomerular IgE deposits. The six patients with notable IgE deposits had persistent disease clinically and generalized glomerular disease immunohistochemically; two of the six patients had rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. Clinical data implicated the β hemolytic streptococcus as etiologic agent in three of the six patients, and suggested it in another.