A case of Podocytic Infolding Glomerulopathy with SLE and literature review

Background Podocytic infolding glomerulopathy (PIG) is a rare pathological change which was characterized by the microspheres or microtubular structures in the thickened glomerular basement membrane (GBM). Only a few dozen cases have been reported worldwide so far. Here we present a case of PIG with systemic lupus erythematosus. Case presentation A 61-year-old Chinese female was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus with clinical manifestations of proteinuria, pleural effusion, seroperitoneum, anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, antinuclear antibody positive, and hypocomplementemia. She also had benign ovarian tumor and Epstein-Barr virus infection. Renal biopsy immunofluorescent staining showed IgM and C3 were granularly deposited along the capillary wall instead of typical “full house” features. Electron microscopy showed lots of microspheres structures were seen in the thickened GBM. Conclusion We present a case of PIG in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus. The mechanisms of PIG are unknown, but may be associated with connective tissue disease and podocyte injury.