HIV-associated IgA nephropathy--a post-mortem study.

Between November 1983 and December 1991, we undertook a systematic study of kidney in deceased AIDS patients using light and immunofluorescence microscopy. Among the 116 examined kidneys (from 106 men and 10 women), nine (7.75%) showed diffuse mesangial IgA deposits. By light microscopy, glomerular lesions were absent or moderate (mesangial hypertrophy or some mesangial deposits). Urinary abnormalities were mild in all cases. Our study shows that the association between IgA nephropathy and HIV infection is not rare, and a review of the literature disclosed 18 reported cases. Some reported immunopathogenic data support the possibility of a link between HIV infection and IgA nephropathy.