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Renal involvement in primary antiphospholipid syndrome

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Abstract

Antiphospholipid syndrome is an autoimmune disorder characterized by recurrent venous or arterial thrombosis and/or pregnancy-related problems associated with persistently elevated levels of antiphospholipid antibodies. The kidney is a major target organ in both primary and secondary antiphospholipid syndrome. This review describes several aspects of the renal involvement in the primary form of the syndrome, in particular the histological pattern of the so-called antiphospholipid syndrome nephropathy (APSN). APSN is a vascular nephropathy characterized by small vessel vaso-occlusive lesions associated with fibrous intimal hyperplasia of interlobular arteries, recanalizing thrombi in arteries and arterioles, and focal atrophy, a constellation of morphological lesions suggestive of primary antiphospholipid syndrome.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Ospedale Cannizzaro, Via Messina, 829, 95126, Catania, Italy

    Carmelita Marcantoni

  2. Pathology Unit, Ospedale Cannizzaro, Catania, Italy

    Carmela Emmanuele

  3. Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Ospedale di Montichiari, Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy

    Francesco Scolari

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  1. Carmelita Marcantoni
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  2. Carmela Emmanuele
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Correspondence to Carmelita Marcantoni.

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Marcantoni, C., Emmanuele, C. & Scolari, F. Renal involvement in primary antiphospholipid syndrome. J Nephrol 29, 507–515 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40620-016-0317-2

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