Nephrotic syndrome in procainamide induced lupus nephritis.

We report a case of the nephrotic syndrome occurring in a patient with procainamide induced LE. It was associated with bilateral pleural effusions, pericarditis, fever, positive LE cell preparation and a high titer of antinuclear antibodies. No anti-DNA antibodies were found. Renal biopsy showed mesangial proliferation with few IgM and C3 deposits and interstitial infiltrates; electron microscopy revealed subendothelial deposits. Clinical improvement occured after steroid therapy and there was no recurrence 24 months after withdrawal of prednisone.