Steroid-responsive focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in primary antiphospholipid syndrome with successful pregnancy outcome

Abstract

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a clinicopathological syndrome characterized by the association of venous and/or arterial thrombo-embolic events, pregnancy morbidity and the presence of circulating antiphospholipid (APL) antibodies, namely lupus anticoagulant (LA) and/or anticardiolipin antibodies (ACLs). The diagnosis of definite APS is made when the patient fulfils one clinical (thrombosis or pregnancy morbidity) and one laboratory (APL or LA) criterion [1]. APS may be primary or secondary to various autoimmune diseases: systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis and systemic sclerosis. The commonly described renal involvement in APS includes renal artery stenosis and/or thrombosis, renal infarction, renal vein thrombosis and thrombotic microangiopathy [2]. In the last few years, glomerular involvement has been documented [3,4]. We report a case of primary APS with nephritic syndrome due to focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), and a successful pregnancy outcome.