A Case of Essential Thrombocythemia and IgA Nephropathy withLiterature Review of the Concurrence

Myeloproliferative neoplasms such as essential thrombocythemia (ET) have been associated with glomerular disease on rareinstances. A case of ET associated with immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is described in a 57-year-old man with a historyof hypertension. Progressively worsening renal function was noted in the patient along with unexplained mild thrombocytosis.Pathological review of renal biopsy identified IgAN concurrently with newly diagnosed JAK2-mutated ET. The patient wasstarted on aspirin therapy and closely monitored for his renal function. A literature review of the association of ET and renaldisease revealed nine cases of ET associated with IgAN, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, andfibrillary glomerulonephritis.Comparison of the pathological features of the renal biopsies within the cases noted mesangial proliferation as a commonfinding, which has been described to be potentiated by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). This commonality may representa link between ET and glomerular disease which deserves further attention in future cases. Improved management of such casesdepends on the recognition of the combined occurrence of ET and glomerular diseases and uncovering the shared pathogenesisbetween platelets and glomeruli.