A case of Mikulicz’s disease complicated with severe interstitial nephritis associated with IgG4

A 48-year-old woman who had bilateral swelling in the eyelids and submandibular region was admitted. Clinical findings suggested that her renal function had deteriorated. Laboratory data showed renal insufficiency (2.52 mg/dl), hypergammaglobulinemia (IgG 3,729 mg/dl, IgA 124 mg/dl, IgM 73 mg/dl). Gallium-67 scintigram indicated abnormal uptake in bilateral lacrimal glands, submandibular glands, and kidneys. A diagnosis of Mikulicz’s disease and interstitial nephritis was made, since biopsy specimens of her lacrimal gland and minor salivary gland showed diffuse infiltration of lymphocytes. In addition, renal biopsy specimens showed diffuse severe interstitial infiltration of IgG4-positive mononuclear cells. Symptoms and laboratory data normalized in response to methylprednisolone semi-pulse therapy and prednisolone 50 mg/day. Mikulicz’s disease was recently reported to be IgG4 associated disease. In our case, Mikulicz’s disease complicated with diffuse severe interstitial nephritis was successfully treated by corticosteroid. The present case supports the hypothesis that IgG4-related autoimmune disease could be causes of Mikulicz’s disease and interstitial nephritis.     

IgG4相关性肾病的临床病理特征分析

目的探究本中心中国人群IgG4相关性肾病的发病情况、临床病理特征及预后。 方法回顾性分析2010年1月至2019年1月在东部战区总医院国家肾脏疾病临床医学研究中心行肾穿刺活检患者的临床病理资料，对肾组织中有大量浆细胞浸润的患者，重新测定肾活检时血清IgG4水平及肾组织IgG4阳性浆细胞浸润数目，结合肾外表现，筛选出确诊为IgG4相关性肾病的病例，并分析IgG4相关性肾病的临床特点、病理特征及肾脏预后。 结果44 784例肾活检患者中有22例确诊为IgG4相关性肾病。IgG4相关性肾病最常表现为蛋白尿(86.4%)及肾功能不全(81.8%)，约68.2%患者存在肾外累及。高IgG血症、高IgG4血症、低补体血症的发生率分别为86.4%、84.2%、45.5%。肾脏组织学最常见的病理类型为IgG4相关间质性肾炎(90.9%)，其次为膜性肾病(13.6%)。肾间质席纹状纤维化、鸟眼样改变分别占40.9%、54.5%。22例患者中，21例接受糖皮质激素治疗，2例失访，余20例中位随访时间为12个月，9例肾功能好转，10例肾功能平稳，1例肾功能减退并进展至终末期肾病。 结论IgG4相关性肾病发病率低，好发于中老年男性，最常表现为肾功能不全及蛋白尿。半数以上的患者有肾外表现。高IgG血症、高IgG4血症和低补体血症是其血清学特征。最常见的肾脏病理类型为间质性肾炎；大量IgG4阳性浆细胞浸润、肾间质席纹状纤维化或鸟眼样改变是其典型的病理特征。糖皮质激素仍是IgG4相关性肾病治疗首选的一线药物。     

IgG4相关性疾病泌尿系统损害分析

目的 总结IgG4相关性疾病泌尿系统损害的临床特点,以其提高对该疾病的认识.方法 回顾性分析出现泌尿系统损害的IgG4相关性疾病患者6例的临床表现、实验室检查、影像学资料、病理表现、治疗及预后情况.结果 诊断为IgG4相关性疾病患者中6例存在泌尿系统损害,男女比例为4:2,中位年龄59岁(36～ 72岁),中位病程为10.5个月.除肾脏、输尿管受累外,所有患者均同时存在泌尿系统外的多器官受累.泌尿系统损害临床表现多样,包括肾功能异常、水肿和腹痛.所有患者均存在高球蛋白血症、血清IgG(中位值23.3 g/L)及IgG4亚型(中位值4227.0 mg/L)升高,肾小管源性蛋白尿;5例患者Scr明显升高(中位值237 μmol/L).影像学表现可分为4类:肾脏弥漫增大、CT多发低密度灶可伴不均匀强化灶、肾盂和(或)输尿管积水、肾脏萎缩.肾脏病理显示为弥漫纤维化伴肾间质大量淋巴细胞、浆细胞浸润的间质性肾炎表现,伴淋巴细胞、浆细胞IgG4免疫组化染色阳性.患者对中至大剂量糖皮质激素治疗反应良好,经治疗,临床症状改善,IgG、IgG4及Scr均明显降低.结论 IgG4相关性疾病泌尿系统损害临床表现多样化,多同时合并其他器官受累;肾组织病理学以IgG4阳性的淋巴细胞和浆细胞浸润的间质性肾炎为其突出特点;糖皮质激素治疗有效.     

IgG4相关性甲状腺疾病

目的总结IgG4相关性甲状腺病与IgG4关系的研究进展。方法收集近年来国内外关于IgG4相关性甲状腺病的病理特征及其与IgG4关系的相关文献并作综述。结果IgG4相关性疾病是一类新近被认识的与IgG4淋巴细胞密切相关的慢性、系统性疾病,可单发,也可累及甲状腺及全身多个器官。在桥本甲状腺炎、里德尔甲状腺炎及甲状腺乳头状癌病灶中均发现了IgG4的表达。结论IgG4相关性甲状腺病是对甲状腺炎疾病的一种新的认识,对其的了解有助于对甲状腺炎患者提供合理的治疗手段。     

IgG4-Related Lung Disease Exhibiting the Invasion into the Diaphragm: A Case Report

Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a fibroinflammatory condition which involves various organs. This is a very rare case of IgG4-related lung disease (IgG4-RLD) with the invasion into diaphragm. The patient was a 71-year-old man with a long-term exposure to asbestos who had a mass shadow in the left lower lung lobe, which was suspected to invade the left diaphragm on computed tomography (CT). Positron emission tomography (PET)/CT also presented an avid intake of fluorodeoxyglucose in the mass, which suspected lung cancer. Although bronchoscopic biopsy could not lead to the definite diagnosis, we performed left lower lobectomy combined with the resection of left diaphragm. The specimen showed the features of IgG4-RLD on pathology: the vein stenosis and fibrosis around the vein, the infiltration of IgG4-positive cells, and IgG cells to IgG4 cells ratio of 40%. Furthermore, there were inflammatory cells infiltrating to the diaphragm.     

IgG4-related Disorders of the Gastrointestinal Tract

IgG4-related disease, a newly established multisystemic disease can affect virtually every organ. Histologically, it is characterized by the presence of a dense lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate, storiform-type fibrosis, and obliterative phlebitis. The disease shows elevated serum and tissue IgG4. The pancreas and hepatobiliary tract are involved far more commonly than the tubular gut. This review summarizes the clinical and pathologic features of the gastrointestinal manifestations of IgG4-related disease and discusses the wide spectrum of diseases that this entity may mimic.     

Severe pulmonary vein stenosis in association with IgG4 gammopathy: An unusual case

IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD)is a multifactorial and systemic immune-mediated disease. Pulmonary vein stenosis related to IgG4 is a rare entity. We report a case of a 57-year-old male who presented with vague symptoms of weakness, easy fatigue, shortness of breathing, chest tightness, and occasional palpitations. The patient was admitted, and investigations were arranged in the form of anterior mediastinotomy and pleural biopsies were taken to look for a possible diagnosis. The histopathology was reported as IgG4-related immunopathy. A transoesophageal echocardiogram was performed and this showed severe stenosis of left superior pulmonary vein. In patients with rare pathologies such as IgG4-RD, a transesophageal can be a useful diagnostic aid especially in patients with severely impaired renal functions which does not allow utilization of contrast computed tomography.     

IgG4-related disease of the ileocecal region mimicking malignancy: A case report

INTRODUCTION

Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a systemic disease characterized by chronic fibrosing inflammation with abundant IgG4-positive plasma cells, and responds well to steroids. Previous reports of IgG4-RD have focused on pancreatic and extrapancreatic including the gastrointestinal tract, however, the colonic IgG4-RD is rare.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

We herein report the case of a 74-year-old female with edematous wall thickening of the terminal ileum to the lower ascending colon confirmed by several preoperative imaging studies, who underwent right hemi-colectomy for suspected malignant lymphoma. The resected specimen showed an irregular wall thickness with subserosal sclerosis, and the lesion was 10 cm in length from the terminal ileum to the ascending colon. The patient was diagnosed with IgG4-RD by pathological examinations, which demonstrated an increased number of IgG4-positive plasma cells (150/HPF), and an elevated IgG4/IgG ratio (50%).

DISCUSSION

Gastrointestinal IgG4-RD appears to be difficult to diagnose prior to surgical resection because of its rarity, and the similarity of its features to malignancy.The measurement of the serum IgG4 levels, immunohistochemical examination of biopsy specimens and use of several imaging modalities might help us to diagnose the disease without surgical resection, and this disease can generally be treated with steroid therapy. However, surgical resection for IgG4-RD may still be also necessary for patients with concerns regarding malignancy or with intractable gastrointestinal obstruction caused by this disease.

CONCLUSION

Gastrointestinal IgG4-RD often mimics malignancy, and we should therefore consider this disease in the differential diagnosis of colonic lesions in order to optimize the treatment.     

Endocapillary proliferative glomerulonephritis with crescent formation and concurrent tubulointerstitial nephritis complicating retroperitoneal fibrosis with a high serum level of IgG4

Renal lesions of IgG4-related disease have been reported recently. Most of them are tubulointerstitial nephritis, and a definite glomerulonephritis complicating IgG4-related disease is very rare. We report here a case of definite glomerulonephritis and concurrent tubulointerstitial nephritis complicating retroperitoneal fibrosis with a high serum level of IgG4. A 68-year-old Japanese woman was referred to our hospital for investigation of anasarca. We diagnosed her disease as a nephrotic syndrome and left hydroureteronephrosis due to retroperitoneal fibrosis. Her laboratory data revealed a high serum level of IgG4, renal injury, hypoproteinemia, hypocomplementemia, a positive finding of circulating immunocomplex (CIC), and negative findings ofautologous antibodies suggesting systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or Sj?gren's syndrome (SS). A diagnosis of SLE or SS could not be made clinically. Right renal biopsy revealed endocapillary proliferative glomerulonephritis with crescent formation and concurrent tubulointerstitial nephritis. Infiltration of plasma cells in interstitium was more conspicuous than seen with ordinary tubulointerstitial nephritis, and in most of them IgG4 was positive. We placed a percutaneous nephrostomy catheter in her left kidney, and prescribed prednisolone and cyclosporine. The responses to prednisolone and cyclosporine therapies were very good. Further studies are needed to clarify the relationship between glomerulonephritis and IgG4-related disease. However, when considering renal lesions of IgG4-related disease, we think that hypocomplementemia, a positive finding of CIC, negative findings of autologous antibodies suggesting SLE or SS, conspicuous interstitial infiltration of IgG4-positive plasma cells, and a good response to steroid or immunosuppressant therapy are key points.     

IgG4-related disease

The term “IgG4-related disease” encompasses several disorders described many years ago under various designations depending on the organ or system involved (e.g., Mikulicz syndrome, Riedel's thyroiditis, and retroperitoneal fibrosis). The clinical presentation varies widely, as one or more organs may be affected, usually in the same region of the body and either synchronously or metachronously. The main targets are the pancreas, bile ducts, salivary glands, lachrymal glands, mediastinal lymph nodes, and retroperitoneum. IgG4-related disease is rare, with an estimated incidence of 0.2 to 1/100 000 in Japan and no available incidence data in occidental countries. Men older than 50 years are predominantly affected. Serum IgG4 levels are often greater than 1.35 g/L. Enlargement of the involved organs, which may be pseudotumoral, is due to a combination of infiltration by T cells and IgG4-expressing plasma cells, storiform fibrosis, and obliterative thrombophlebitis. Glucocorticoid therapy is effective but may be followed by relapses requiring the use of immunomodulating agents such as azathioprine, methotrexate and, more recently, rituximab. IgG4-related disease is not an autoimmune condition related to IgG4 autoantibodies, and neither does it involve immune complexes. Specific joint involvement has been reported in a very small number of patients.     

A rare case of IgG4-related systemic disease manifesting with pancreatic head mass mimicking borderline resectable cancer

INTRODUCTION

Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a rare pancreatic disorder among chronic pancreatitis that can mimick pancreatic cancer (PC). Patients with type 1 AIP usually present obstructive jaundice associated with high level of IgG4 in serum and a pancreatic mass at radiological imaging; these disorders may be associated with other organs lesions presenting the same histopathological features, and in these cases AIP should be considered a pancreatic localization of an IgG4-related systemic disease.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

We report the case of a young man with initial suspect of PC to be treated with surgery, and final diagnosis of AIP in the context of an IgG4-related systemic disease.

DISCUSSION

Because of its similar features, several algorithms have been proposed for AIP diagnosis, based on combination of clinical/serological and radiological criteria. However, histology represents the only way to obtain definitive diagnosis, even if sometimes it is difficult to obtain biological samples.

CONCLUSION

IgG4-related systemic disease must be taken into account among differential diagnosis during the workup for PC, in order to avoid unnecessary surgery.     

Sclerosing mediastinitis of unknown origin: Report of a case

IntroductionWe herein describe a rare case of a sclerosing mediastinitis without IgG4-related disease. This case was clearly excluded from IgG4-related disease, because this patient’s serum IgG4 level was not elevated. Specifically, this patient’s serum IgG4 level was 7.9 mg/dl (4.8–105).Presentation of caseA 61-year-old Japanese female presented at our hospital due to an abnormal chest X-ray that showed a growing shadow in the mediastinum. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed an 80 × 75 × 75 mm tumor, which located in the anterior mediastinum. This large tumor surrounded the thoracic aorta, left brachiocephalic vein and superior vena cava. It was difficult to obtain a definitive diagnosis. We tried to perform three biopsies, and eventually performed a partial resection of the tumor.DiscussionThis case did not fit the criteria for IgG4-related disease, and it was therefore unclear whether steroid therapy should be used for this case. We will continue to carefully follow up this patient’s residual lesion, and there have been no changes in the lesion at present.ConclusionSclerosing mediastinitis and IgG4-related disease should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with a mediastinal tumor. However, sclerosing mediastinitis is difficult to diagnose, and it is important to obtain a sufficient amount of tissue to ensure an accurate diagnosis.     

Immunoglobulin G4–Related Lymphadenopathy

Immunoglobulin G4–related lymphadenopathy (IgG4-RLAD) occurs in the setting of extranodal IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD), an immune-mediated process described in many organ systems characterized by lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates with abundant IgG4-positive plasma cells and fibrosis. Although the morphologic features in the lymph node sometimes resemble those seen at the extranodal sites, 5 microscopic patterns have been described, most of which resemble reactive lymphoid hyperplasia. This morphologic variability leads to unique diagnostic challenges and a broad differential diagnosis. As IgG4-RD may be exquisitely responsive to steroids or other immunotherapy, histologic recognition and inclusion of IgG4-RLAD in the differential diagnosis is vital.     

IgG4相关性疾病泌尿系统损害的临床特点分析

目的 总结和分析IgG4相关性疾病(IgG4-RD)泌尿系统损害的临床特点.方法 收集24例IgG4相关性疾病泌尿系统损害患者的临床资料,回顾性分析患者肾脏受累、治疗前后Scr、Hb、炎性反应指标和IgG4亚类水平的变化情况.结果 2010年8月至2014年5月经北京协和医学院肾内科确诊的IgG4相关性疾病泌尿系统损害病例24例,平均受累器官数目(4.38±1.55)个.治疗前血清IgG4[M(范围)]为12 750(1 460～ 59 400) mg/L,均伴炎性反应指标明显升高.20例患者有检测尿蛋白量,其中19例尿蛋白量升高,6例伴肾病综合征.21例患者Scr升高,均值为(410.48±352.17) μmol/L,其中3例需接受透析治疗.14例患者伴贫血,8例伴单侧或双侧肾脏体积缩小.21例Scr升高的患者中,11例患者肾功能不全因肾后性梗阻所致,3例病理证实为肾小管间质肾炎.与治疗前相比,24例患者糖皮质激素联合或不联合免疫抑制剂治疗1周后Scr明显下降(P＜0.05),治疗1个月后Scr下降更为明显(P＜0.01),3例透析患者均脱离透析.血沉于治疗1个月后亦明显下降(P＜0.01).IgG4亚类水平在治疗1个月时无显著下降(P＞0.05),治疗2个月时明显下降(P＜0.01).结论 IgG4相关疾病合并肾功能不全并不少见,对中至大量糖皮质激素治疗反应良好,治疗后Scr下降早于血沉和IgG4亚类.     

Surgical treatment for a patient with immunoglobulin G4-related lung disease

Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is an autoimmune fibroinflammatory disease, and isolated lung disease is a rare phenomenon. IgG4-RD frequently mimics primary pulmonary malignancy. It has been described in association with malignancies, including lung cancer, but it remains unclear if it increases the risk of malignancy. We report the case of a patient who had a left lower lobectomy after relapse while receiving corticotherapy. The pathological findings confirmed the diagnosis of IgG4-RD. After 2 months, the thoracic computerized tomography scan showed an important left pleural effusion that could be a consequence of the recent intervention or a relapse of IgG4-RD.     

Treatment and outcomes in patients with IgG4-related disease using the IgG4 responder index

Background

IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is an autoimmune disease triggering an inflammatory cascade that leads to fibrosis. Outcome measures are limited and treatment options remain underexplored.

Routine IgG4 staining in minor salivary gland biopsy in a cohort of Italian Caucasian patients suffering from xerostomia

ObjectivesIgG4-related disease is a potentially systemic disease mimicking and overlapping with different autoimmune diseases, such as primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS). The involvement of salivary glands, previously called Mikulicz’s disease, has been reclassified as IgG4-related sialadenitis (SA). The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of IgG4-SA in a cohort of Italian Caucasian patients presenting with xerostomia and to evaluate the eventual overlap between IgG4-SA and pSS.Material and methodsWe included 154 patients – 15 males and 139 females, mean age 54.18 ±14.24 years, who underwent minor salivary gland biopsy between March and December 2019 for xerostomia. Histopathology was evaluated using Chisholm-Mason (CM) and focus score (FS) for pSS and immunohistochemical study with IgG4 staining for IgG4-SA were performed. Serum autoantibodies (anti-SSa/RoAb, anti-SSB/LaAb, antinuclear antibodies, rheumatoid factor) were also assessed.ResultsIn 69 patients (44.8%) FS 0 was found, while FS ≥ 1 was presented in 85 (55.2%). Chisholm-Mason score < 3 and CM ≥ 3 was found in 73 (47.4%) and 81 (52.6%) cases, respectively. IgG4/high-power field level was 20 in 3 pSS patients (1.9%), but none of them had an IgG4/IgG ratio ≥ 40, as well as tissue fibrosis with storiform pattern, obliterative vasculitis, and tissue eosinophilia. The diagnosis of pSS, was confirmed in 92 patients (59.74%). No patient was definitively diagnosed with an IgG4-related disease.ConclusionsIn the case of xerostomia, the evaluation of the histopathological specimen for IgG4 should not be routinely performed, at least in an Italian-based Caucasian population. Moreover, immunohistochemistry should not be requested in the case of a negative result of biopsy for pSS.     

A case of MPO ANCA associated glomerulonephritis with interstitial pneumonitis complicated with lung tuberculosis and pericarditis

The main target organs of myeloperoxidase (MPO) antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)-related disease are the kidney and lung. This report describes a 71-year-old man with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) and interstitial pneumonitis associated with MPO ANCA. The patient was admitted to our hospital because of bloody sputum, low grade fever and appetite loss on October, 1998. He was diagnosed as having interstitial pneumonitis from the findings of chest X-ray and CT examinations. Moderate proteinuria and hematuria, renal dysfunction(serum creatinine: 5.6 mg/dl, BUN: 58.0 mg/dl) and positivity for MPO ANCA were noted. He was negative for anti-glomerular antibody and PR3-ANCA. Renal biopsy was performed and revealed crescentic glomerulonephritis without deposition of immunoglobulins. Therefore, the diagnosis of pauci immune type RPGN was made. Pulse therapy with methylprednisolone(1.0 g/day x 3 days) following oral administration of prednisolone (60 mg/day) found marked improvement of renal function maintenance and interstitial pneumonitis, respectively. However, he died because of lung tuberculosis and acute tuberculous pericarditis during treatment with prednisolone. In this case, MPO ANCA might have been directly associated with both RPGN and interstitial pneumonitis. Furthermore, chronic lung disease, such as interstitial pneumonitis, is important as a preceding disease of RPGN. MPO ANCA-related disease is more frequent in aged persons, therefore particular attention should be paid during their treatment with an immunosuppressant.     

Primary focal sclerosing glomerulonephritis: A clinicopathological analysis

SUMMARY: The clinical and laboratory features, renal biopsy findings, and outcome of 68 patients with primary focal sclerosing glomerulonephritis were studied. the cumulative probability of not progressing to end-stage renal failure (ESRF) was 0.92 at 5 years and 0.73 at 10 years after presentation, and was significantly worse in patients with hypertension or severe renal impairment (serum creatinine >0.24 mmol/L) at presentation. Proteinuria of up to 1gm/day was associated with an excellent prognosis, whereas proteinuria of 1–3 gm/day and >3 gm/day had similar and poorer survivals. an adverse outcome was associated with, at presentation, age less than 30 years, hypertension, a family history of glomerulonephritis, cigarette smoking, impaired renal function, and heavy proteinuria. Renal biopsy findings which correlated with progressive renal failure included a higher percentage of glomeruli with global or segmental sclerosis, and the degrees of tubular atrophy, interstitial fibrosis, interstitial inflammation and arterial thickening. During follow-up the degrees of renal impairment and proteinuria, persistence or development of hypertension, transient decreases of renal function of >10%, and the total number of red cells and casts on centrifuged urine microscopy were all predictive of progressive renal disease. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the indices with adverse effects on outcome induced all of the above except tubulointerstitial and vascular changes on renal biopsy. It is concluded that the prognosis may be better than has been suggested in the literature. It is possible to predict which patients are likely to have an adverse outcome, and this should assist with therapeutic decisions likely to retard progression of disease.     

Primary focal sclerosing glomerulonephritis: A clinicopathological analysis

The clinical and laboratory features, renal biopsy findings, and outcome of 68 patients with primary focal sclerosing glomerulonephritis were studied. The cumulative probability of not progressing to end-stage renal failure (ESRF) was 0.92 at 5 years and 0.73 at 10 years after presentation, and was significantly worse in patients with hypertension or severe renal impairment (serum creatinine >0.24 mmol/L) at presentation. Proteinuria of up to 1gm/day was associated with an excellent prognosis, whereas proteinuria of 1–3 gm/day and >3 gm/day had similar and poorer survivals. An adverse outcome was associated with, at presentation, age less than 30 years, hypertension, a family history of glomerulonephritis, cigarette smoking, impaired renal function, and heavy proteinuria. Renal biopsy findings which correlated with progressive renal failure included a higher percentage of glomeruli with global or segmental sclerosis, and the degrees of tubular atrophy, interstitial fibrosis, interstitial inflammation and arterial thickening. During follow-up the degrees of renal impairment and proteinuria, persistence or development of hypertension, transient decreases of renal function of >10%, and the total number of red cells and casts on centrifuged urine microscopy were all predictive of progressive renal disease. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the indices with adverse effects on outcome included all of the above except tubulointerstitial and vascular changes on renal biopsy. It is concluded that the prognosis may be better than has been suggested in the literature. It is possible to predict which patients are likely to have an adverse outcome, and this should assist with therapeutic decisions likely to retard progression of disease.