
INTRODUCTION: Syphilis has been associated with multiple kidney diseases, primarily studied within small series. A large cohort of patients with active syphilis who underwent kidney biopsy were examined to evaluate the histopathologic spectrum and clinicopathologic features of the disease. METHODS: Patients with syphilis who underwent a native kidney biopsy were identified from renal pathology archives at Arkana Laboratories. Patients were identified through a clinical history of active syphilis in medical records and/or positive serologic testing (rapid plasma reagin, venereal disease research laboratory, or antitreponemal antibodies). RESULTS: A total of 102 patients with syphilis who underwent kidney biopsy were identified. The mean age was 41.0 ± 14.0 years with male predominance (87.3%). The majority presented with acute kidney injury (AKI) with a mean creatinine of 4.7 ± 4.0 mg/dl. Coinfections, including HIV, hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus were common. The most common disease states included membranous nephropathy (MN, n = 29), HIV-associated diseases (n = 21), acute interstitial nephritis (AIN, n = 10), acute tubular injury (ATI, n = 24), infection-associated glomerulonephritis (GN) (n = 8), and IgA nephropathy (n = 7). Of the patients with MN (28.4%), the majority were neuron-derived neurotropic factor (NDNF) positive and frequently demonstrated staining for multiple immune reactants, particularly C1q. Of the patients with HIV-associated pathology (20.6%), 81.0% had collapsing glomerulopathy and 33.3% had mesangial immune complex deposition (HIV-associated immune complex disease of the kidney [HIVICK]). Most patients with AIN (70%) demonstrated plasma cell–rich interstitial infiltrates. CONCLUSION: A spectrum of kidney pathology diagnoses is seen in patients with syphilis, with the majority of patients presenting with AKI. Coinfections, and pathology related to coinfections, were common.
kidney pathology, Clinical Research, case series, syphilis, membranous nephropathy, neuron-derived neurotropic factor, RC870-923, Diseases of the genitourinary system. Urology
kidney pathology, Clinical Research, case series, syphilis, membranous nephropathy, neuron-derived neurotropic factor, RC870-923, Diseases of the genitourinary system. Urology
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