Henoch—Schönlein purpura nephritis occurring postpartum in a patient with anti-PL-7 anti-synthetase syndrome

Abstract

A 37-year-old pregnant woman developed purpura which was subsequently diagnosed as Henoch–Schönlein purpura (HSP). After childbirth, the patient developed proteinuria and hematuria. Further examination revealed that the HSP nephritis (HSPN) was associated with anti-threonyl-tRNA synthetase anti-synthetase syndrome. The onset of HSPN during pregnancy or after childbirth is rare. Moreover, to our knowledge, this is the first case to describe renal involvement in anti-synthetase syndrome.

Keywords:

• Anti-synthetase syndrome
• Henoch–Schönlein purpura nephritis
• Interstitial lung disease
• PL-7
• Pregnancy

Acknowledgements

We thank Michael Hann (Naval Medical Center San Diego) for critical comments and English editing.

Conflict of interest

None.