January 19, 2021
Diagnose This (January 19, 2021)

- Published: January 19, 2021
- By: Joel Murphy, MD
Based on the electron microscopic image, what would be your initial underlying clinical concern for the findings seen?
Answer: The electron microscopic image demonstrates occasional large hump-like subepithelial deposits which are concerning for an underlying infection. By light microscopy, the biopsy demonstrated a diffuse proliferative and exudative glomerulonephritis characterized by diffuse endocapillary hypercellularity with numerous intracapillary neutrophils. By immunofluorescence, the biopsy demonstrated C3-dominant deposits predominately along capillary loops in a somewhat “starry-sky” pattern. Thus, the biopsy features taken with the patient’s history of an active abscess are compatible with an infection-associated glomerulonephritis.