Korean J Nephrol.  2003 May;22(3):321-325.

A Case of Postinfectious Glomerulonephritis Following Meningococcal Meningitis

• Shin SC
• Kim YG
• Back HJ
• Lim YH
• Yeo HM
• Kim EH
• Kim JA
• Lee BH
• Kang WH
• Kim B
• Huh W
• Kim DJ
• Oh HY
• Kwon GY

Abstract

A 21-year-old male was presented with sudden headache, fever, petechiae and neck stiffness. The diagnosis of meningococcal meningitis was confirmed by examination of cerebrospinal fluid. The clinical symptoms of the illness were improved after treatment of antibiotics. However the patient developed generalized edema, oliguria, azotemia, and heavy proteinuria in the recovery phase of illness. Low serum C3 level was also noted. A kidney biopsy was performed and showed the features of postinfectious glomerulonephritis and typical subepithelial humps on electron-microscopic examination. His symptoms and laboratory findings were improved, and C3 level returned to normal range after conservative treatment. We suggest that a complement deficiency should be ruled out in patients of glomerulonephritis developed during the recovery phase of meningococcal meningitis. C3 nephritic factor detection and renal biopsy should be carefully considered in these patients.

Keyword

Neisseria meningitidis; Meningitis; Postinfectious glomerulonephritis; Complement; C3 nephritic factor

MeSH Terms

Anti-Bacterial Agents
Azotemia
Biopsy
Cerebrospinal Fluid
Complement C3 Nephritic Factor
Complement System Proteins
Diagnosis
Edema
Fever
Glomerulonephritis*
Headache
Humans
Kidney
Male
Meningitis
Meningitis, Meningococcal*
Neck
Neisseria meningitidis
Oliguria
Proteinuria
Purpura
Reference Values
Young Adult
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Complement C3 Nephritic Factor
Complement System Proteins