Glomerulopathy Associated With Filarial Loiasis

Abstract

To the Editor.— Glomerulonephritis is commonly associated with the formation in the plasma of antigen antibody complexes, which when trapped on the glomerular capillary membrane, initiate an inflammatory response. It is likely that the number of antigens with the potential for this series of events is extremely large, although the number of antigens identified is still small. Parasitic diseases, such as malaria 1 and schistosomiasis, 2 may cause complex glomerulonephritis. Though not widely appreciated the filarial disease, loiasis, is also associated with glomerular disease. An example is presented here. Report of a Case.— A 25-year-old Nigerian student arrived in the United States in 1969, in good health. In January 1972 he developed mumps. In July 1972 he noted polyuria and nocturia and was found to have proteinuria and urinary infection. The symptoms cleared after treatment with phenazopyridine hydrochloride. In August 1972 he developed itching in the left eye and was