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Thrombotic microangiopathy on kidney biopsy in a patient with TAFRO syndrome

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Abstract

TAFRO syndrome represents a characteristic constellation of symptoms comprising Thrombocytopenia, Anasarca, myeloFibrosis, Renal dysfunction, and Organomegaly, and is considered to be a clinicopathologic variant of idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease. A 51-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital complaining of abdominal distension. Findings on physical examination were indicative of anasarca. Computed tomography revealed mild splenomegaly, pericardial effusion, pleural effusion, ascites, and paraaortic lymphadenopathy. Blood tests showed thrombocytopenia, and urinalysis demonstrated hematuria, proteinuria, and worsening renal function. Kidney biopsy was performed and revealed thrombotic microangiopathy-like lesions with global sclerosis of 1 of the 16 glomeruli on light microscopy. The remaining glomeruli had a distinct lobular pattern, with mesangiolysis, double contours of the glomerular basement membranes, and marked endothelial swelling. Immunofluorescence studies for IgG, IgM, IgA, C1q, C3, C4, κ-light chains, and λ-light chains were indeterminate. Electron microscopy showed marked endothelial swelling. We made a diagnosis of TAFRO syndrome and started steroid treatment, following which her symptoms gradually improved. There are few reports describing renal pathology in a patient with TAFRO syndrome.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nephrology, Tsushima City Hospital, 3-73 Tachibana, Tsushima, Aichi, Japan

    Toshikazu Ozeki, Masashi Tsuji, Junichiro Yamamoto & Chisato Shigematsu

  2. Department of Nephrology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan

    Toshikazu Ozeki & Shoichi Maruyama

Authors
  1. Toshikazu Ozeki
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  2. Masashi Tsuji
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  3. Junichiro Yamamoto
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  4. Chisato Shigematsu
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  5. Shoichi Maruyama
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Correspondence to Toshikazu Ozeki.

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All the authors have declared no competing interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.

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Informed consent was obtained from the patient in the case report.

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Ozeki, T., Tsuji, M., Yamamoto, J. et al. Thrombotic microangiopathy on kidney biopsy in a patient with TAFRO syndrome. CEN Case Rep 7, 243–247 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13730-018-0338-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13730-018-0338-x

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