Histopathological and Direct Immunofluorescent Changes in Renal Biopsies of Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Renal involvement in Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can display diverse morphological patterns.

OBJECTIVES: To study the histopathological changes along with activity and chronicity of lesions in kidney biopsies of patients with SLE.

METHODS: Thirty-five renal biopsies of SLE patients were received during two and a half years period. The biopsies were classified according to the WHO classification. Immunofluorescence pattern was also studied and correlated with histological features.

RESULTS: There were 32(91.4%) females and 3(8.6%) males. Age of the subjects ranged from 15 to 60 years with a mean age of 33.48 years. The most common class of lupus nephritis was class IV which was observed in 54.29% of biopsies. Immunofluorescence was performed in 30 biopsies and all these were positive for various antisera with anti-IgG positivity in 27(90%). Mesangial deposits were seen in 13(43.3%) cases followed by granular deposits in 9(30%) cases.

CONCLUSION: Majority of SLE cases at SKIMS present during the severe course of the disease. JMS 2012;15(2):162-65