Histoimmunological discrepancies in primary IgA nephropathy and anaphylactoid purpura sustain relationships between mucosa and kidney.

Immunohistomorphometric analysis of the tonsils from a series of patients with anaphylactoid purpura or Berger's disease showed abnormal proportions of gamma- and alpha-isotype-producing cells. Conversely, renal immunofluorescence (IF) performed on kidney biopsies from 2 patients with hematuria and clinical symptoms suggestive of one or the other of these conditions failed to confirm the suspected diagnosis. Immunohistomorphometric analysis of these patient's tonsils showed normal proportions of gamma- and alpha-isotype-producing cells. These negative results suggest that strong relationships exist between mucosal abnormalities and renal deposition of IgA in hematuria.