Minimal change glomerulonephritis associated with hydatid disease.

A 63-year-old man presented to our department with dyspnea and peripheral edema. A cystic mass in the right upper abdomen, consistent with echinococcal disease was discovered. Proteinuria was also present, and a nephrotic syndrome was diagnosed. The kidney biopsy revealed minimal change glomerulonephritis. Treatment with the antiechinococcal drug albendazole induced complete remission of the nephrotic syndrome, suggesting an etiopathogenic role for a hydatid antigen in the development of an immune-mediated glomerulonephritis.