The significance of anti-phospholipase receptor antibodies in a patient with membranous nephropathy

Abstract

Membranous nephropathy (MN) is the major cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults and may be secondary to systemic lupus erythematosus or malignancy in 25% of patients. Without any etiology, it is called primary MN, which is usually associated with phospholipase A2 (PLA2) receptor antibodies. Secondary MN can appear months before a secondary cause is identified. Here, we report a case of MN, that was found to be secondary to pancreatic adenocarcinoma and positive for PLA2 receptor antibodies.