Of the glomerulonephritis associated with sarcoidosis, membranous nephropathy (MN) is the most prevalent. Coincidence or a causal relationship between these two diseases is unclear. Here, we present for the first time a high prevalence of PLA2R-related MN among patients with MN associated with active sarcoidosis. Our results suggest some causal link between sarcoidosis and PLA2R-related MN. Detection of anti-PLA2R antibodies in serum or PLA2R antigen in biopsy should not be taken as evidence against a secondary cause, particularly sarcoidosis. This important observation can affect treatment decision in these patients.
Keywords: membranous nephropathy; phospholipase A2 receptor; sarcoidosis.
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