Evolution of idiopathic membranous nephropathy to class v lupus nephritis: a case report and literature review

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Source: Frontiers Medicine

Original: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2026.1801837...

Published: 2026-03-23T00:00:00Z

A 54-year-old woman had nephrotic syndrome in 2016, where an initial kidney biopsy showed podocyte disease. In 2020, a relapse with positive anti-PLA2R antibodies led to a second biopsy, which diagnosed stage II idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN). In 2024, facial edema and erythema appeared, serology revealed new positive ANA and anti-dsDNA antibodies along with persistent positive anti-PLA2R, fulfilling criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A third biopsy confirmed lupus nephritis (LN) class V. After treatment with methylprednisolone, hydroxychloroquine, and rituximab, she achieved clinical remission with obinutuzumab. Anti-PLA2R positivity is considered a specific marker of IMN, but its presence in class V LN is rare and does not exclude secondary membranous nephropathy. In patients with IMN and an atypical course, long-term antibody monitoring and repeated kidney biopsy are recommended.