Kidney diseases associated with Waldenström macroglobulinemia.

Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) is a rare B-cell lymphoma characterized by lymphoplasmacytic cell infiltration in the bone marrow and other organs and the presence of a monoclonal immunoglobulin M protein in the serum. Although uncommon, several kidney diseases have been associated with WM. In addition to kidney diseases related to lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma infiltration, a variety of glomerular and tubular lesions have been described in patients with WM.

Analysis of a cluster of cases of Wegener granulomatosis.

Background: Wegener granulomatosis is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease of unknown etiology. The sporadic occurrence, lack of familial or genetic associations, and rising incidence suggest possible exposure to environmental agents as causative for this disease.

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine possible environmental triggers of Wegener granulomatosis.