Coincident membranous glomerulonephritis and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy: questioning the autoimmunity hypothesis

Muscle Nerve. 2008 Jan;37(1):130-5. doi: 10.1002/mus.20841.

Abstract

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) and membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN) are both autoimmune disorders that are rarely observed concurrently. We describe a patient who developed MGN nearly 20 years after the onset of CIDP, resulting in a secondary progression of his neuropathy. He responded dramatically to a novel regimen of plasma exchange and methotrexate. We propose a mechanism other than autoimmunity for the coincidence of these disorders and discuss the theoretical superiority of the treatment regimen that he received.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age of Onset
  • Autoimmune Diseases / immunology*
  • Autoimmune Diseases / physiopathology
  • Disease Progression
  • Glomerulonephritis, Membranous / complications*
  • Glomerulonephritis, Membranous / immunology*
  • Glomerulonephritis, Membranous / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Kidney / immunology
  • Kidney / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Methotrexate / therapeutic use
  • Peripheral Nerves / immunology
  • Peripheral Nerves / physiopathology
  • Plasmapheresis
  • Polyradiculoneuropathy, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating / complications*
  • Polyradiculoneuropathy, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating / immunology*
  • Polyradiculoneuropathy, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating / physiopathology
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Methotrexate