[Humoral immunity in an idiopathic nephrotic syndrome with minimal glomerular lesions and focal and segmental hyalinosis in children].

Humoral immunity was studied in 40 children presenting with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS), of which 30 with minimal supposed or proven glomerular changes (MGC) and 10 with focal and segmental hyalinosis (FSH). Such patients are capable of producing in vivo active antibodies, in response to viral or bacterial infections and after anti-poliomyelitis immunisation. They present with decreased immunoglobulins G and increased immunoglobulins M during exacerbation of the disease. These abnormalities often persist during remission as well as in patients off-therapy. IgE are often increased during periods or exacerbation as well as in remission. On the contrary, the number of B lymphocytes and their distribution according to surface Ig are normal.