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Atypical Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis in a Cat

Abstract

Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis was observed in a 2-year-old male Japanese domestic cat with clinical renal failure. In the glomeruli, moderate mesangial hypercellularity with an increased mesangial matrix and thickening of the capillary walls were prominent. In addition, frequent duplication of the capillary walls, splitting, and spike formation were observed in the glomerular basement membrane. Granular cat IgG and complement component deposition were detected globally along the glomerular capillary walls and in the mesangium. Transmission electron microscopy revealed dense deposits in the subendothelial and subepithelial regions and the mesangium. Mesangial interposition was also observed. These glomerular lesions are also found in humans with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type III, which has not been reported in animals.

Key words: Cats; electron microscopy; glomerulonephritis; immunohistochemistry.

Request reprints from Dr. K. Shirota, Research Institute of Biosciences, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 229-8501 (Japan). E-mail: shirota{at}azabu-u.ac.jp.