The Heterogeneity and Controversy of C1q Nephropathy: A Report of Two Cases and Review of the Literature

Abstract

C1q is an uncommon, controversial and under-recognized entity. There is disagreement regarding whether it is an established disease or just part of the spectrum of minimal change disease and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. C1q nephropathy is diagnosed solely by kidney biopsy. We report two cases of C1q nephropathy, one in a 39-year-old man and the other in an 8-year-old boy. Our two cases highlight the variable nature of this disease. In this article, we present our cases, review the criteria for diagnosis and highlight the heterogeneous nature of this disease in terms of clinical presentation, renal biopsy and variable outcomes. We also discuss the postulated etiopathogenetic mechanisms and note the reported associations.




World J Nephrol Urol. 2014;3(1):49-53
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/wjnu148w