Remission of IgA nephropathy following treatment of cytomegalovirus infection with ganciclovir.

Following the detection of cytomegalovirus antigen in mesangial cells of some patients with IgA nephropathy, an important role of human cytomegalovirus in the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy has been discussed. We studied a case of IgA nephropathy with rapid deterioration of renal function associated with cytomegalovirus infection. Following an infection of the upper respiratory tract, a 57-year-old woman developed with hematuria and acute renal failure.

Effect of iron status on the intestinal absorption of aluminum: a reappraisal.

Clinical and experimental studies have shown that serum aluminum (Al) is bound to transferrin and that cellular uptake of Al appears to be mediated by transferrin receptors. Based on these findings it is widely believed that intestinal Al absorption occurs via iron-specific, transferrin-dependent pathways and that iron (Fe) deficiency increases the intestinal absorption of Al. However, since no transferrin receptors are expressed on the absorptive surface of small intestinal epithelial cells this notion is doubtful.