A case report of mitochondrial myopathy with membranous nephropathy

BACKGROUND: MtDNA 3243 A > G mutation leads to mitochondrial myopathies with predominant hyperlactatemia. Given the ubiquitous nature of mitochondria, cellular dysfunction can also appear in tissues with high metabolic turnover; thus, there can be cardiac, digestive, ophthalmologic, and kidney complications. MtDNA 3243 A > G mutation has been shown to be with renal involvement in the previous cases of which are FSGS and tubularinterstitial nephritis. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of patient who had the mitochondrial myopathy with mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) 3243 A > G mutation diagnosed membranous nephropathy by kidney biopsy, which was never reported before. Our patient was found to have chest tightness and shortness of breath with hyperlactatemia and was diagnosed mitochondrial myopathy with mtDNA 3243 A > G mutation 11 months ago. Acute kidney injury occurred with hyperuricemia (urid acid 1011umol/L) which may be associated with mtDNA mutation. Since then, persistent proteinuria was also found and the 24-h urine protein quantitative was around 2 g. Kidney biopsy was performed and the result was consistent with membranous nephropathy, with abnormal mitochondria seen in renal tubules by electron microscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with mitochondrial myopathy could also have renal presentation of membranous nephropathy. Patients with mtDNA mutation may have various renal manifestations so that more attention should be paid on their kidneys.