Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis in a Nigerian adolescent with congenital solitary kidney: Unraveling the cause of mortality

Abstract

Background: Unilateral renal agenesis (URA) or solitary kidney usually presents as non-ectopic solitary functioning kidney (SFK) with absent contra-lateral kidney. Although it is compatible with normal longevity, recent studies indicate that arterial hypertension, proteinuria, impaired renal function as well as glomerulosclerosis are potential complications. Case Report: We report a male adolescent patient who presented pre-mortem with features of acute renal failure and lobar pneumonia. Post-mortem examination revealed a solitary kidney with light microscopic findings suggesting membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) as the fundamental disease. The short duration of hospitalization and paucity of diagnostic facilities precluded a more accurate confirmation and classification of the glomerular disease. This report however highlights possible pathological scenarios, as well as the handicaps in the practice of Nephrology in this environment.

Keywords

• renal agenesis
• acute renal failure
• lobar pneumonia