Abstract
Renal-biopsy specimens from Nigerian children with the nephrotic syndrome were studied by fluorescence microscopy after staining with fluorescein isothiocyanate-labelled antibodies against human immunoglobulins and complement (β-1-C). In all patients bound immunoglobulin and complement were observed, characteristically in the form of granular deposits along the glomerular capillary walls. Electron microscopy showed deposition of immune complexes along the epithelial side of the glomerular basement membrane, and reactive changes in epithelial and endothelial cells. Antibody eluted from the kidney of one patient gave precipitates with preparations containing Plasmodium malariœ antigens, but no reaction with P. falciparum or normal kidney antigens. Immune complexes containing P. malariœ antigen are thought to play a causal role in the ætiology of the nephrotic syndrome of African children.
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