A case presentation of an IgA nephropathy patient with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome

BACKGROUND: Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome is a rare disease characterized by skin and eyelash bleaching, chronic granulomatous iridocyclitis and exudative retinal detachment, and aseptic meningitis and encephalopathy. IgA nephropathy complicated by Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome is very rare, even though they might have similar pathogeneses. Ocular lesions often are not examined when patients are diagnosed with IgA nephropathy, which affects the prognosis. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe a 55-year-old male IgA nephropathy patient who was admitted with high fever and hematuria. Physical examination revealed impaired binocular vision with blurred vision, impaired hearing, and a congestive rash on the chest and back. Renal ultrasound examination showed no abnormalities. Laboratory examination showed that glomerulonephritis was complicated by infection, and anti-infection therapy was ineffective. Bilateral fluorescein angiography showed Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome. Further renal biopsy confirmed IgA nephropathy. Hormone shock therapy and cyclophosphamide adjuvant therapy were administered, and the patient’s symptoms improved. CONCLUSION: For the first time, we reported the case of simultaneous onset of IgA nephropathy and Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome, which is very rare. The onset of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome is rapid and serious, while that of IgA nephropathy is relatively milder, making it easy for specialized doctors to neglect this condition. Doctors should be highly alert to the clinical concomitant occurrence of the two diseases with similar mechanisms, especially in the case of neurological defects and ocular symptoms in IgA nephropathy patients, since timely immunosuppressive treatment may improve the outcome of ocular diseases.