Immune-mediated glomerulonephritis after exposure to paraquat

Nephron. 1988;48(2):138-41. doi: 10.1159/000184893.

Abstract

Exposure to paraquat was followed 1 week later by mild respiratory distress in a previously healthy farmer who developed a mixed nephrotic/nephritic syndrome 3 months later. Percutaneous renal biopsy showed endo-extra-capillary proliferative glomerulonephritis associated with a linear pattern of IgG deposits along the glomerular capillary wall. This is the first case report of an association between exposure to a low dose of paraquat (as suggested by the mildness of the respiratory symptoms) and development of glomerulonephritis, possibly related to the occurrence of anti-glomerular basement membrane antibodies. The possibility is suggested that immune-mediated mechanisms of glomerular damage may be triggered by exposure to low-dose paraquat.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Basement Membrane / immunology
  • Basement Membrane / ultrastructure
  • Complement C3 / analysis
  • Female
  • Glomerulonephritis / chemically induced
  • Glomerulonephritis / immunology*
  • Glomerulonephritis / pathology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / analysis
  • Kidney Glomerulus / immunology
  • Kidney Glomerulus / ultrastructure
  • Paraquat / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Complement C3
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Paraquat