Effective management of crescentic IgA nephropathy

Abstract

IgA nephropathy is a common pattern of glomerulonephritis defined by mesangial IgA deposits. Rapidly progressive renal failure is unusual in IgA nephropathy; it may result from acute tubular necrosis or superimposed crescentic nephritis. In this uncommon situation, the risk–benefit balance is most strongly in favour of intense immunosuppressive therapy because if crescentic IgA nephritis is not treated, there will almost inevitably be rapid progression to end-stage renal disease. We report the clinical and histological features of a patient with crescentic IgA nephropathy treated successfully with intensive immunosuppression.