Increased incidence of anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody (anti-GBM) nephritis in the Mersey Region, September 1984-October 1985.

We report an increase in the incidence of anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody nephritis in the Mersey Region over the 13 months from September 1984 to October 1985. During this period anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody nephritis was diagnosed in 10 patients: seven cases occurred between 1 June and 31 October 1985. We could identify no common infective agent or history of toxic exposure. Although outbreaks of parvovirus infection were reported in the region during this period, no patient had serological evidence of recent infection with parvo- or other virus. The only atypical feature was the high incidence of allergic rash which was seen in four of six patients treated with antibiotics before admission. Only two patients recovered sufficient renal function to make dialysis unnecessary. Both had a longer duration of prodromal symptoms, lower levels of circulating anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody antibodies and histological evidence of less aggressive disease.