Development of the characteristic ultrastructural lesion of hereditary nephritis during the course of the disease.

The diagnosis of hereditary nephritis in the absence of a clear family history or the presence of characteristic ancillary abnormalities is difficult, but it has considerable prognostic importance. The recent recognition of an ultrastructural lesion characteristic of this disease, although not present in all families, is of considerable value. In this report we describe a kindred with the lesion-associated disease that differs from those previously described in that the lesion developed during the course of the disease, was not present in all affected members and appeared to be the result of paternal transmission.