Kimura’s Disease and Membranous Nephropathy

Abstract

An interesting association of Kimura's disease and membranous nephropathy is reported in a 71-year-old Chinese patient, 40 years after emigrating to the UK from Hong Kong. Significant blood eosinophilia and a very high serum IgE level were detected, the latter with a moderate level of specificity to Candida albicans. Light microscopy of renal biopsy was unremarkable despite a proteinuria of nephrotic proportions; diffuse subepithelial dense deposits compatible with membranous nephropathy were identified on electron microscopy. The atopic nature of Kimura's disease is confirmed and C. albicans is suggested as a possible causative agent.