Primary Membranous Glomerulonephritis-associated with Schistosomal Nephropathy.

The association of bilharziasis with membranous nephropathy (MN) has long been debated. The relatively recent use of antibodies against the M-type phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) has been proposed as a valuable tool to discriminate the idiopathic from secondary MNs. Anti-PLA2R antibodies are found in sera from about 70% of iMN patients, in contrast to patients with secondary MN, in whom serum anti-PLA2R antibodies could not be detected. In the current case report, we detected anti-PLA2R antibodies both in serum and renal biopsy from a patient with MN associated with . This finding confirms the idiopathic nature of the MN and excludes schistosomiasis as the triggering agent of MN. After treating bilharziasis, Ponticelli regimen was initiated without a significant improvement.