Amyloidosis in Chronic Heroin Addicts with the Nephrotic Syndrome

doi:10.1059/0003-4819-91-1-26

Amyloidosis in Chronic Heroin Addicts with the Nephrotic Syndrome

New York, New York

Abstract

Four chronic heroin addicts had renal amyloidosis and the nephrotic syndrome. Amyloidosis had the secondary type of tissue distribution and developed after many years of addiction. That chronic immunologic stimulation by one or more exogenous antigens or multiple acute inflammatory episodes were important factors in the pathogenesis of amyloidosis in these patients is postulated. Amyloidosis, although uncommon, must be considered among the different types of renal involvement that are known to occur in drug addicts, especially those with the nephrotic syndrome, and amyloid should be specifically searched for in their renal biopsies.

Article and Author Information

▸From the Departments of Medicine and Pathology, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University; and the Department of Medicine, Harlem Medical Center; New York, New York; and the Department of Pathology, Michael Reese Hospital; Chicago, Illinois.
▸Requests for reprints should be addressed to Conrad L. Pirani, M.D.; Department of Pathology, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University; 630 West 168 Street; New York, NY 10032.
- Received July 31, 1978.
- Accepted February 15, 1979.