«Full house» glomerulonephritis with tubuloreticular inclusions in bacterial endocarditis mimicking lupus nephritis: a case report

Abstract

Introduction

Immune complex-associated membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and tubuloreticular inclusions have been strongly linked to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, other etiologies have been associated with these findings.

Case presentation

A 72-year-old male presented with a fever of unknown origin and these histopathological findings in the kidney biopsy. An extensive diagnostic workup established an infective endocarditis as the etiology.

Conclusions

Even in the presence of a highly suggestive kidney biopsy of a potential lupus nephritis, alternative differential diagnosis should be considered, as these findings are characteristic but not pathognomonic.