Membranous Nephropathy and Formaldehyde Exposure
Authors: Peter Breysse
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1994)

Brief Reports1 March 1994Membranous Nephropathy and Formaldehyde ExposurePeter Breysse, MS, MPH, William G. Couser, MD, Charles E. Alpers, MD, Karen Nelson, PhD, Lakshmi Gaur, PhD, and Richard J. Johnson, MDPeter Breysse, MS, MPHFrom the University of Washington and the Puget Sound Blood Center, Seattle, Washington.Search for more papers by this author, William G. Couser, MDFrom the University of Washington and the Puget Sound Blood Center, Seattle, Washington.Search for more papers by this author, Charles E. Alpers, MDFrom the University of Washington and the Puget Sound Blood Center, Seattle, Washington.Search for more papers by this author, Karen Nelson, PhDFrom the University of Washington and the Puget Sound Blood Center, Seattle, Washington.Search for more papers by this author, Lakshmi Gaur, PhDFrom the University of Washington and the Puget Sound Blood Center, Seattle, Washington.Search for more papers by this author, and Richard J. Johnson, MDFrom the University of Washington and the Puget Sound Blood Center, Seattle, Washington.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-120-5-199403010-00007 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail Membranous nephropathy is the most common cause of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome in adults. Some cases are associated with autoimmune disorders (for example, systemic lupus erythematosus), infections (for example, hepatitis B), drugs (for example, gold or penicillamine), heavy metals (for example, mercury), organic solvents, or cancer, but most cases are idiopathic [1, 2]. We describe four patients who developed membranous nephropathy after exposure to toxic concentrations of formaldehyde commonly found in homes with certain types of insulation or cabinetry. Formaldehyde may induce membranous nephropathy in genetically susceptible persons.MethodsFour patients with membranous nephropathy were referred to us with possible exposure ...References1. Couser WG, Abrass CK. Pathogenesis of membranous nephropathy. Annu Rev Med. 1988; 39:517-30. Google Scholar2. Ehrenreich T, Yunis SL, Churg J. Membranous nephropathy following exposure to volatile hydrocarbons. Environ Res. 1977; 14:135-45. Google Scholar3. Eller PM, ed. NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods. 3rd ed.Cincinatti, Ohio: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. DHHS (NIOSH) publication no. 84-100; 1984. Google Scholar4. Erlich H, Bugawan T, Begovich AB, Scharf S, Griffith R, Saiki R, et al. HLA-DR, DQ, and DP typing using PCR amplification and immobilized probes. Eur J Immunogen. 1991; 18:33-55. Google Scholar5. Breysse PA. The immediate and long-term effects of formaldehyde. Comments Toxicology. 1988; 3:135-53. Google Scholar6. Harris JC, Rumack BH, Aldrich FD. Toxicology of urea formaldehyde and polyurethane foam insulation. JAMA. 1981; 245:243-6. Google Scholar7. Hayes RB, Blair A, Stewart PA, Herrick RF, Mahar H. Mortality of U.S. embalmers and funeral directors. Am J Ind Med. 1990; 18:641-52. Google Scholar8. Blair A, Stewart P, O'Berg M, Gaffey W, Walrath J, Ward J, et al. Mortality among industrial workers exposed to formaldehyde. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1986; 76:1071-84. Google Scholar9. Thrasher JD, Broughton A, Madison R. Immune activation and autoantibodies in humans with long-term inhalation exposure to formaldehyde. Arch Environ Health. 1990; 45:217-23. Google Scholar10. Brown JH, Jardetzky TS, Gorga JC, Stern LJ, Urban RG, Strominger JL, et al. Three-dimensional structure of the human class II histocompatibility antigen HLA-DR1. Nature. 1993; 364: 33-6. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Peter Breysse, MS, MPH; William G. Couser, MD; Charles E. Alpers, MD; Karen Nelson, PhD; Lakshmi Gaur, PhD; Richard J. Johnson, MDAffiliations: From the University of Washington and the Puget Sound Blood Center, Seattle, Washington.Acknowledgments: The authors thank Mr. Tom Collins for initially suggesting this association and Drs. Linda Rosenstock, Jean Nokes, Ilan Zawadski, and Sandra Watkins for their assistance.Grant Support: By U.S. Public Health Service grants DK43422 and DK 02142. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byToxic Occupational Exposures and Membranous NephropathyA Case of Membranous Nephropathy Hypothesized to be Associated With COVID-19 VaccineIncreasing frequency of idiopathic membranous nephropathy in primary glomerular disease: A 10-year renal biopsy study from a single Chinese nephrology centreAldehydes and KetonesGlomérulopathie extramembraneuseCase Report: Autoimmune Disease Triggered by Exposure to Hair Straightening Treatment Containing FormaldehydeDrug-induced Kidney Disease – Pathology and Current ConceptsFormaldehyde-induced urticarial vasculitisGlomérulopathie extramembraneuseGlomérulopathie extramembraneuseAldehydes, esters, ketones, ethers and amines 1 March 1994Volume 120, Issue 5Page: 396-397KeywordsAllelesAmino acidsAntigensAttentionBiopsyHaplotypesHistocompatibilityPrevention, policy, and public healthSerum proteinsUrine ePublished: 15 August 2000 Issue Published: 1 March 1994 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 1994 by American College of Physicians. 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