Rare Association of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma, ANCAs, and Pauci-immune Crescentic Glomerulonephritis

We report a 69-year-old African American woman with hemoptysis and hematuria caused by a focally crescentic pauci-immune glomerular injury associated with the presence of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs). An incidental diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/small lymphocytic lymphoma also was established based on the kidney biopsy. Given that a subset of patients with CLL can develop autoantibodies to red blood cells, platelets, or, rarely, neutrophils, the simultaneous presence of CLL, ANCA, and a pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis may not be a coincidence. Recent advances in the pathogenic role of ANCAs in pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis may link the underlying CLL to this patient's glomerular injury. Awareness of this possible association may be important for clinicians who manage patients with CLL, as well as for renal pathologists who diagnose pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis. Am J Kidney Dis. 57(1): 170-174. (C) 2010 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc.