Henoch-Schoenlein Nephritis and IgA Nephrogathy: A Comparison of Immunofluorescene and Electron Microscopic Study

The immunofluorescence and electron microscopic studies along with clinical presentation were performed and compared 1n 4 cases of Henoch-Schoenlein(HS) nephritis and 16 cases of IgA nephropagthy. The clinical and pathological findings of two conditions were similar. The light microscopic findings show more severe glomerular (high grade by ISKDC) change in HS nephritis than IgA nephropathy. The immunofluorescence study reveals exclusively IgA only or IgA with C3 deposition mainly at mesangium in IgA nephropathy, where as the HS nephritis show variable deposition of all immune globulin(IgA, IgC, IgM, C3, Fibrinogen, mainly mesangium associated with pericapillary area. Electron dense deposition in the mesangium were the most constant feature in IgA nephrogathy, where as variable extention of electron-dense peposition to the pericapillary, subepithelial and subendothelial area in HS nephritis were observed.