Renal biopsy in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: Not just lupus glomerulonephritis!

ABSTRACT

Kidney biopsy is a mainstay in the diagnosis and management of renal disease in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Though biopsies from patients with lupus typically show various forms of immune complex glomerulonephritis, other pathologies are occasionally encountered, including unusual lupus-related nephropathies, other forms of autoimmune disease, and occasional renal disorders without any direct connection with lupus or autoimmunity. Electron microscopy is a powerful tool for detecting and classifying these unusual conditions, which frequently have important therapeutic and prognostic implications.

Keywords:

• Autoimmune diseases
• electron microscopy
• nonlupus nephritides
• renal biopsy
• systemic lupus erythematosus

Acknowledgment

The expert assistance of Mr. Steven Conlon with preparation of the figures is gratefully acknowledged.

Declaration of interest

The author has no conflicts of interest to report.