A case of IgA nephropathy and renal hemosiderosis associated with primary hemochromatosis

IgA nephropathy associated with liver cirrhosis is a common disease, unlike hemochromatosis-associated renal involvement, which is uncommon. A 55-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for the acute deterioration of renal function. Laboratory tests showed extremely high transferrin saturation and serum ferritin level. Furthermore, magnetic resonance imaging revealed low-intensity signals in both T1- and T2-weighted images within the liver, diagnosed as primary hemochromatosis. Renal biopsy showed mesangial IgA deposition with cellular crescent and hemosiderin in both glomerular and tubular epithelial cells. Renal function worsened progressively after admission, and thus steroid pulse therapy was started. Renal dysfunction improved, but the patient died of cerebral hemorrhage. The present case was considered IgA nephropathy and renal hemosiderosis secondary to primary hemochromatosis. To our knowledge, this is the first report that describes the above complications in association with primary hemochromatosis.