Kidney biopsy in the hepatosplenic form of infection with Schistosoma mansoni in man.

A study of early glomerular lesions was made in 8 patients infected with Schistosoma mansoni but having no clinical evidence of renal disease. Electron-microscopy of renal biopsies showed the presence of electron-dense deposits in basement membranes and of laminated bodies near the mesangial cells. Immunofluorescence showed that the deposits corresponded to IgG in 8 cases and to IgM in 2 cases. These lesions are comparable with those found in the kidneys of patients with cirrhosis of the liver.