Newly-diagnosed immunoglobulin A nephropathy with increased plasma galactose-deficient-IgA1 antibody associated with mRNA COVID-19 vaccination: a case report

Newly-diagnosed or relapses of immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) have been associated with COVID-19 vaccination in the literature. Most reported cases were mild clinical diseases characterized by microscopic haematuria and do not require dialysis treatment. This current case report describes a 55-year-old male patient that presented to the emergency department with acute kidney injury after receiving the first dose of the mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccine. After admission, his renal function deteriorated rapidly, and then he developed uraemic encephalopathy. He underwent emergency haemodialysis with a rapid improvement in his mental status. Renal biopsy showed newly-diagnosed IgA nephropathy along with markedly elevated plasma level of galactose-deficient-IgA(1) (Gd-IgA(1)) antibody. The patient did not receive immunosuppressive treatment and is now dialysis-free. Immune activation is considered an essential factor in developing or exacerbating IgAN following COVID-19 vaccination. This current case report demonstrates that elevated Gd-IgA(1) antibody may be the potential mechanistic link between COVID-19 vaccination and IgAN.