Abstract Introduction/Objective Primary hepatic marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (MZL) is a rare entity that has been described with chronic inflammatory disorders such as chronic viral hepatitides B and C and primary biliary cholangitis. We report MZL in a 3-year-old African-American boy that was discovered incidentally at autopsy. Methods/Case Report The patient first came to medical attention at 9-months of age with bilateral periorbital edema that progressed to generalized edema of the[PL1] face, extremities, and abdomen. Laboratory testing showed nephrotic syndrome with massive proteinuria (50-60 g/day). A percutaneous renal biopsy specimen showed membranous glomerulopathy with PLA2R detected by immunofluorescence, and granular IgG deposition along tubular basement membranes. Serum was negative for anti-PLA2R antibodies. The patient suffered recurrent upper respiratory tract infections requiring several intensive care hospitalizations. At 3 years of age, he was transported unresponsive and pulseless to the emergency department where he was pronounced dead. A brother with the infantile nephrotic syndrome had died from sepsis at 2 years of age. Suspicion of abuse led to an autopsy by the medical examiner, who discovered nodular masses in the right and left liver lobes, which histologically showed a serpiginous infiltrate of small B-lymphocytes positive for CD20, CD43 admixed with plasmacytoid cells with kappa light chain restriction. There were no extrahepatic tumors. Transmission electron microscopy of glomeruli showed membranous glomerulopathy. Kidneys showed dense reactive interstitial lymphocytic infiltrate with germinal centers Results (if a Case Study enter NA) NA Conclusion To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of MZL presenting in a pediatric patient with membranous glomerulopathy. Both diagnoses are associated with autoimmune diseases and persistent, chronic inflammation. Recurrent infections in this patient suggest an immunoregulatory disorder, setting the stage for chronic inflammation, as seen in the kidney, with progression to MZL in the liver.
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