Type : Other, mainly phenotypes with suspected mendelian basis;
Alternative titles and symbols : Mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis, X-linked;
Description : Habib et al. (1973) recognized 2 morphologic classes for the glomerular changes seen
in patients with mesangiocapillary (membranoproliferative) glomerulonephritis (MPGN).
Type I is characterized by double contour appearance of the capillary walls due to
mesangial cell interposition, with nonargyrophilic subendothelial deposits which are
finely granular on electron microscopy. Type II is characterized by linear dense deposits
within the basement membrane and only rare double contours. These 2 types appear to
be distinct with no conversion of one type to another on serial biopsy. Strife et
al. (1977) described a third variety in which there are not only subendothelial deposits
but also numerous subepithelial and intramembranous deposits, associated with replication
of the lamina densa and frequently disruption of the whole basement membrane.;