Infection related membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis secondary to anaplasmosis: A case report

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Anaplasmosis is a tick-borne disease with a range of clinical manifestations, from a flu-like illness with fever and myalgias to a severe systemic disease with multisystem organ failure. Although renal involvement is not a common presentation, there have been few cases reporting acute kidney injury from Anaplasmosis.

CASE SUMMARY

We present a 55-year-old female with anaplasmosis who developed acute kidney injury due to membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN). The patient originally presented with cough and shortness of breath. She was admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of community acquired pneumonia and received antibiotics. During the hospital course she developed severe acute renal failure. Initial serological work up didn’t provide any conclusive diagnosis. Hence, she underwent kidney biopsy which showed MPGN pattern suggesting autoimmune, multiple myeloma or infectious etiology. Extensive work up was undertaken which was negative for autoimmune diseases, vasculitis panel, paraproteinemias but tested positive for IgG anaplasma with high titers indicating Anaplasmosis.

CONCLUSION

Our case shows a unique presentation of severe acute renal failure from MPGN from tick borne illness. MPGN is usually seen with autoimmune diseases, hepatitis C virus infections, paraproteinemias. Hence, we suggest that tick borne illness should also be considered when evaluating acute renal failure cases in tick borne prevalent regions.

Key Words: Acute kidney injury; Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis; Tick-borne; Anaplasmosis; Case report

Core Tip: In areas endemic for tick borne illnesses, it is important to learn and understand common and rare presentations of tick borne illness. Our case is unique as it showed that tick borne illness can also cause severe renal failure by inciting Glomerulonephritis which is usually seen with other etiologies but very rarely with Anaplasmosis.

INTRODUCTION

Human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) is a tickborne rickettsial disease caused by the bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum. It is a gram-negative intracellular bacterium transmitted by Ixodes scapularis tick. Typical symptoms of HGA include fever, malaise, headache, myalgias, and occasionally arthralgias[1]. We report a case that presented with cough, shortness of breath and acute kidney injury. Only 17 of the 110 reported patients of anaplasmosis had acute kidney injury[1]. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) nephritic pattern of acute kidney injury seen in a HGA infection.

CASE PRESENTATION

Chief complaints

A 55-year-old female presented to the Emergency Department with cough and shortness of breath that had persisted for three days.

History of past illness

The patients' medical history was pertinent for liver cirrhosis secondary to alcohol abuse, ascites requiring weekly paracentesis, chronic hyponatremia secondary to cirrhosis, chronic antibiotics for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis prophylaxis, and hypertension.

Physical examination

After evaluation, there was a concern for pneumonia, based on the basic laboratory tests and a chest x-ray. Her initial vitals were: 104 beats per minute heart rate, 28 per minute respiratory rate, 36.5 degrees Celsius temperature, 128/63 mmHg blood pressure, and 92%SpO2 on presentation to the emergency department. A complete physical examination revealed only significant rales in the left lower lung.

Laboratory examinations

Her coronavirus disease 2019 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) resulted negative (Tables 1 and 2).

Table 1 Summary of key diagnostic tests.

Diagnostic Test	Normal value	Result
ANA	Negative	Negative
Serum DNA double-stranded antibody, IgG	< 30.0 (Negative) IU/mL	< 12.3
Glomerular basement membrane IgG antibody	< 1.0 (Negative) U	< 0.2
Serum myeloperoxidase antibody	< 0.4 (Negative) U	< 0.2
Serum proteinase 3 antibody (PR3)	< 0.4 (Negative) U	< 0.2
Serum complement C3	75-175 mg/dL	42
Serum complement C4	14-40 mg/dL	8
Serum haptoglobin	30-200 mg/dL	17
Serum kappa free light chain	0.3300-1.94 mg/dL	9.28
Serum lambda free light chain	0.5700-2.63 mg/dL	10.9
Kappa/lambda FLC ratio	0.2600-1.65	0.8514
Serum protein electrophoresis	Negative monoclonal proteins	Negative monoclonal proteins
Serum antistrep-O titer	0-530 IU/mL	69
Blood culture	Negative	Negative
Urine culture	Negative	Negative
SARS-CoV-2, PCR, rapid	Undetected	Undetected
EBV DNA, P	Undetected	Undetected
CMV DNA, P	Undetected	Undetected
Anaplasma phagocytophilum, PCR	Undetected	Undetected
Serum Anaplasma phagocytophilum antibody, IgG	< 1:64 titer	1:512
Ehrlichia chaffeensis, PCR	Negative	Negative
Ehrlichia chaffeensis (HME) antibody, IgG	< 1:64	< 1:64
Bartonella antibody panel, IgG and IgM	Negative	Negative
Serum Blastomyces antibody, EIA	Negative	Negative
Histoplasma antibody	Negative	Negative
HIV -1 Ab Screen, P	Negative	Negative
HIV-1 p24 Ag Screen, P	Negative	Negative
HIV Ag/Ab Screen, P	Negative	Negative
HIV-2 Ab Screen, P	Negative	Negative
Serum Mycoplasma antibody, IgM	Negative	Negative
Serum Mycoplasma antibody, IgG	Negative	Positive
Serum total hepatitis B core antibody	Negative	Negative

HIV: Human immunodeficiency virus; ANA: Serum antinuclear antibody; SARS-CoV-2: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; PCR: Polymerase chain reaction; EBV: Epstein–Barr virus; CMV: Cytomegalovirus; FLC: Free light chains.

Table 2 Laboratory test results.

Diagnostic test	Normal value	At presentation	Hospital day 2	Hospital day 6	Hospital day 11	Hospital day 15	On discharge
Hemoglobin, g/dL	11.6-15.0	8.9	8	9.1	9	6.8	7.3
WBC count, ×109/L	3.4-9.6	15.5	16.2	16.8	12.6	8.1	9.2
Platelet count, ×109/L	157-371	118	105	168	157	115	124
Serum Urea Nitrogen, mg/dL	45098	31	36	55	46	66	87
Serum creatinine, mg/dL	0.59-1.04	1.62	1.84	1.02	1.55	2.87	2.95
Serum sodium	135-145 mmol/L	124	123	129	126	127	135
Serum potassium	3.6-5.2 mmol/L	4.5	4.3	3.7	3.8	3.8	4
Serum chloride	98-107 mmol/L	102	100	105	95	95	100
Serum bicarbonate	22-29 mmol/L	11	11	10	20	20	20
eGFR	≥ 60 mL/min/BSA	35	30	62	37	18	17
Anion gap	45122	11	12	12	9	12	15
Serum calcium	8.6-10.0 mg/dL	7.7	7.3	7.8	7.2	7.3	7.6
Serum albumin	3.5-5.0 g/dL	1.6		1.4	1.8

WBC: White blood cell; eGFR: Estimated glomerular filtration rate; BSA: Body surface area.

Imaging examinations

Chest x-ray showed bilateral patchy opacities and a subsequent computed tomography (CT) scan was performed, revealing pneumonia-like findings.

FINAL DIAGNOSIS

MPGN secondary to Anaplasmosis.

TREATMENT

She was admitted to the hospital and started on empiric antibiotics for community-acquired pneumonia with cefepime and metronidazole. Her baseline creatinine was 0.6 to 1 mg/dL but during the hospital course she developed an acute kidney injury, with her creatinine reaching 1.6 mg/dL. Her acute kidney injury was thought to be caused by hepatorenal syndrome. She received albumin, midodrine, and octreotide.

OUTCOME AND FOLLOW-UP

On day 5, she underwent paracentesis due to underlying alcoholic liver cirrhosis with ascites. The paracentesis cultures were negative. On day 6, renal function recovered to baseline, but the leukocyte count remained persistently elevated, despite empirical treatment with cefepime and metronidazole. Her respiratory status did not improve, and a repeat chest CT was performed on day 7, revealing persistent bilateral opacities. Concurrently, her leukocytosis was worsening. Pulmonology was consulted and they have recommended diuresis to relieve the fluid overload and also recommended getting an echocardiogram. Her echocardiogram showed severe pulmonary hypertension, mild mitral regurgitation, and an ejection fraction of 60% without regional wall motion abnormalities.

During her hospital course, she developed anemia, with her hemoglobin dropping from 9 g/dL on day six to 6.8 g/dL on day fifteen. She was then transfused with two packed red blood cell (pRBC) units. The anemia evaluation revealed low haptoglobin, elevated lactate dehydrogenase, and a negative Coombs test. Peripheral blood smears lacked schistocytes but indicated that the patient had chronic normocytic anemia with elevated polychromasia in circulating nucleated erythrocytes.

Her renal function deteriorated again on day 11 with creatinine rising gradually to 2.9 mg/dL. Urinalysis revealed 11-20 white blood cell (WBC) per high-power field, more than 100 RBC, and a protein level of over 300, with a urine protein-to-creatinine ratio of 1.45. Serologies and a kidney biopsy were requested due to concerns over glomerulonephritis. Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody, serum protein electrophoresis, serum-free light chains, cryoglobulins, Anti streptolysin O antibody, and Legionella urine antigen tests were negative. Her serum C3 and C4 complement levels were both low, likely due to liver failure.

A kidney biopsy was performed. The biopsy revealed a MPGN pattern of injury. Immunofluorescence showed granular capillary wall deposits of IgA, IgG, and IgM, as well as C1q, kappa light chain, and lambda light chain, which are characteristic of immune-complex mediated MPGN with polyclonal deposits. Additionally, IgG subtype immunofluorescence was performed to exclude a monotypic antibody process. By subtyping, IgG subclasses were polytypic: IgG1, IgG2, and IgG3 were positive, and IgG4 was negative. By electron microscopy, the mesangial and peripheral capillary wall deposits were reiterated, but these electron-dense deposits showed an unusual fibrillary substructure (Figure 1). The differential diagnosis for such an injury pattern included autoimmune diseases, atypical infections, and hematologic processes, such as cryoglobulinemia. There was no evidence of an underlying autoimmune diseases, paraproteinemia, or cryoglobulinemia after a comprehensive evaluation.

Figure 1 Kidney Biopsy. A: Light microscopy sections show enlarged glomeruli with lobular accentuation of the capillary loops and both mesangial and endocapillary hypercellularity [periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), 400 ×]; B: Silver-negative, PAS-positive deposits are seen along the capillary loops, resulting in extensive capillary wall remodeling (Jones methenamine silver, 400 ×); C: These deposits show a full-house pattern, highlighting with all immunoglobins and complement components on both standard and pronase immunofluorescence studies (IgG, 400 ×); D and E: On electron microscopy, numerous organized, electron-dense deposits with fibrillary substructure are seen within the mesangial and peripheral capillary loop walls [E: Electron microscopy (EM), 6000 ×], including focal areas with stacked parallel arrays are seen (D: EM, 50000 ×).

As all her autoimmune tests and monoclonal protein studies came back negative, it was suggested that she should undergo a thorough investigation into infectious etiology. A repeat workup with urine cultures, blood cultures, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing, viral hepatitis panel, Histoplasma antibodies, Blastomyces antibodies, Bartonella antibodies, and PCR for Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Anaplasma, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and streptococcal urine antigen were all negative. Her echocardiogram was negative for endocarditis. She had elevated Anaplasma antibody titers, IgG 1: 512. Infectious disease was consulted, and they advised starting doxycycline. She was started on doxycycline and was also started simultaneously on pulse steroids and prednisone taper as her kidney biopsy showed edema and inflammation in the renal parenchyma (Table 1).

But her kidney function continued to deteriorate. The patient was informed of the biopsy results and treatment options. She was not in need of dialysis immediately but informed her that she might need it if her renal function continued to worsen. With her other comorbidities, and after discussion, our patient decided to pursue comfort-only measures rather than aggressive treatment options and was discharged to home hospice.

DISCUSSION

Since the first reported case in Wisconsin in 1990, cases of HGA have steadily increased, rising from 348 cases in 2000 to 5655 cases in 2019 with a peak of 5762 cases in 2017. Anaplasmosis is commonly reported in the Upper Midwestern and Northeastern United States. However, only 88 case reports have been published thus far[1].

Tick bites are the most common mode of transmission for Anaplasmosis, mainly Ixodes ticks. The most common symptoms are fever, malaise, myalgias, headache, anorexia, and gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, cough, and occasionally a rash[1,2]. HGA symptoms and presentation are typically nonspecific and may be difficult to distinguish from other infections. Therefore, a high index of suspicion must be maintained. Diseases transmitted by the same vector, such as Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis, and Babesiosis, are included in the differential diagnosis of Anaplasmosis; however, other zoonoses and non-vector-borne diseases should also be considered. Non-tick-borne infections, such as viral exanthems (human herpesvirus 6, EBV, enterovirus, adenovirus, and parvovirus B 19), and bacterial infections, are still considered in the differential diagnosis of anaplasmosis (Endocarditis, N. meningitides, N. gonorrhea, and secondary syphilis)[3,4]. Anaplasmosis is a clinical condition, however due to the nonspecific presentation, a broader workup to rule out other tick-borne diseases should be considered. Anaplasmosis causes mild anemia, thrombocytopenia, and leukopenia, as well as a mildly to moderately elevated liver function test[5]. A peripheral blood smear may show morulae within granulocytes, but this is not conclusive. The most conclusive tests are the indirect fluorescent antibody test and the polymerase chain reaction, which show a four-fold increase in IgG-specific antibodies and Anaplasma DNA in a whole blood sample, respectively[1].

Many complications of Anaplasmosis have been reported, which include end-organ damage such as acute kidney injury, rhabdomyolysis[2], multiorgan failure, non-traumatic splenic rupture, pancreatitis, secondary hemophagocytic lymphocytosis, and meningoencephalitis. Anaplasmosis has been linked to kidney disease, which is uncommon. In our case, the patient developed acute kidney injury due to MPGN from Anaplasmosis, which is very rare[6].

In this case, our patient was hospitalized with a diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia and given antibiotics. During her hospitalization, she developed an acute kidney injury which we suspected was due to hepatorenal syndrome. Her kidney function initially improved with treatment, but it deteriorated again with a nephritic pattern of injury as evidenced by hematuria and proteinuria on urinalysis. In addition, her kidney biopsy revealed an unusual MPGN pattern of injury.

MPGN typically manifests in childhood, though it can manifest at any age. The clinical presentation and progression are extremely variable, ranging from benign to rapidly progressive. Thus, patients may exhibit asymptomatic, acute nephritic syndrome, nephrotic syndrome, or even rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis symptoms. In addition, the degree of kidney impairment varies based on the underlying lesions in the kidney, such that if a kidney biopsy reveals proliferative lesions, one is more likely to have a nephritic phenotype[3]; those with crescentic MPGN may present with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis; and those with both repair and sclerosis are more likely to have a nephrotic phenotype. The MPGN pattern results from two underlying pathologies: (1) Immune complex-mediated; and (2) Complement-mediated. The immune-complex-mediated MPGN injury pattern is caused by circulating immunoglobulin or immune complexes, and etiologies include monoclonal gammopathy, autoimmune or rheumatologic disease, infection, or idiopathic[3]. This injury pattern is characterized by immune deposits that stain with either IgG or IgM predominance; typically complement staining is present, but not as strong as immunoglobulin staining. By contrast, complement-mediated MPGN—which encompasses C3 glomerulonephritis and dense deposit disease—typically will stain predominately with C3 and will typically have either genetic or acquired complement pathway alterations[3].

Monoclonal processes—such as proliferative glomerulonephritis with monoclonal deposits—can present with an MPGN pattern. However, unlike other immune-complex mediated MPGN, the immune complexes are monoclonal, not polyclonal, though an underlying B-cell/plasma cell clonal process is not always discovered or present[7]. In this case, immunofluorescence tests for both κ and λ light chains were positive, suggesting a polyclonal process. IgG subtype staining also showed polytypic distribution, further corroborating a polyclonal process[7,8]. Additionally, a normal κ:λ ratio and negative serum protein electrophoresis test for monoclonal proteins eliminated the need for a hematologic or oncologic evaluation.

However, infectious causes remained to be identified for MPGN-pattern nephritic renal injury. We performed a thorough infectious workup that included a viral hepatitis panel, Ehrlichia, Bartonella, Blastomyces, Histoplasma, HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibodies and antigens such as p24 and HIV Ag/Ab ratio, Anaplasmosis, Mycoplasma IgM and IgG, ascitic fluid studies, anti-strep-O titers, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, EBV, and CMV. Except for the anaplasmosis antibody, serum IgG 1:512 (normal IgG 1:64), which is 8 times higher than normal, all results were negative. This demonstrates that in our case, anaplasmosis is the underlying cause of the MPGN pattern nephritic etiology. Infectious disease was consulted, and a 14-d course of twice-daily doxycycline was given. She did not require dialysis and was started on high-dose prednisone with stabilization of her creatinine between 3.0 to 3.5 mg/dL and blood urea nitrogen between 130 and 140 mg/dL without significant uremic symptoms. Although she had anasarca, she did not require supplemental oxygen at the time of discharge. To control metabolic acidosis, sodium bicarbonate was added, and sevelamer was used for hyperphosphatemia. However, due to her current medical conditions and poor prognosis, the patient opted for comfort care, and she ultimately passed away.

CONCLUSION

Tick-borne diseases are relatively common, but early detection is essential. Due to obstacles such as the absence of objective, measurable evidence for these symptoms, it is difficult to determine whether a patient's complex of symptoms is the result of tick-borne disease or another cause. Due to these obstacles, there is a greater chance of overlooking tick-borne diseases as an etiology, which can result in complications and poor outcomes. Even though we reached a conclusion in our case and decided to initiate treatment, our patient had transitioned to comfort care measures only and declined further treatment. Due to the increasing prevalence of renal involvement and other complications in tick-borne diseases, it is crucial to diagnose and treat tick-borne diseases in their earliest and most prevalent stages.